Johnny meets the risen Jesus

An Easter story

It was a beautiful Easter Sunday morning in Oklahoma City. The sun was out, and the morning temperature was already 70. No doubt that it would be warmer by the time they left 11 a.m. Mass at Saint James.
 
Mom was finishing in the kitchen and you could smell the coffee, pancakes and bacon all through the house. Dad was helping the kids get dressed, and grandma visiting for the Easter holydays was watching EWTN. This wasn’t a normal Sunday. Easter had arrived.
 
Johnny was almost done with his brand-new Easter outfit while his little sister looked great in her new dress. Grandma had gifted them the new clothes for Easter.
 
In a few weeks, Johnny would be making his First Communion. Dad thought it was a good opportunity for Johnny to show grandma all he had learned in his catechism classes, so just before sitting down for breakfast, he had him recite his prayers to grandma. He was perfect.
 
Grandma asked Johnny a big question, “What does it mean to receive your First Communion?” Johnny, while sitting down for his pancakes and bacon, replied, “That’s easy! We get to eat Jesus!” His little sister’s eyes opened wide and she asked out loud, “Is that true?” Mom responded, “Yes honey, that’s true. But, there’s a lot more to it than that. In a few years, you will get to go to catechism classes and learn all about Jesus and receiving him in the Eucharist.”
 
“Eucalist, I like that word. It sounds funny!’ she said with a laugh while going for another piece of bacon.
 
Grandma, with a big grin and while enjoying her morning coffee, asks another question. “Johnny, why is today important?” Johnny paused, then smiled and answered, “Jesus wins. The bad guys lose. They killed him on Friday, but he came back to life on Easter morning!”
 
Grandma laughing said, “I’ve never heard it put that way but, yes, that’s the general idea.”
 
Then, while looking at his dad Johnny says, “You know dad, it would be great to see the Easter Jesus! You know, coming out of the cave like in the movie we saw. Jesus beating death and full of life. Seeing him for real would be great!” Dad smiling said, “OK. I’ll make sure you get to see him today!” Johnny can’t believe what he just heard and asked, “How dad?” “Just wait.”
 
Soon after grandma’s second cup of coffee they were on their way to Mass.
 
Father Pruett had a great Easter homily and the music was so festive even Johnny wanted to dance. Then Johnny asked his dad, “Dad, when are we going to see the Easter Jesus? Where is he going to be?” “Be patient Johnny, any minute now, right here at Mass we’ll get to see him.”
 
A few seconds later, at the altar, Father Pruett took the host, the bread, into his hands and while bowing reverently said, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body, which will be given up for you.”
He lifted the consecrated host and showed him to the people.
 
Dad, pointing to the altar and the consecrated host, tells Johnny with joy, “There Johnny, there is our Easter Jesus! Full of life and loving us in the Eucharist! Like he just came out of the cave where he was buried for three days.”
 
Grandma, who was listening in on the conversation hugged Johnny and quietly whispered in his ear, “Happy Easter Johnny! Our Easter Jesus loves you and I love you too!”