Age of Reason

My youngest grandson made his First Holy Communion on Mother’s Day along with two other boys in our small parish.  He is eight years old, and according to the church norm, has reached the age of reason.  Generally speaking, the age of reason is when a child is old enough to understand the difference between right and wrong.  I am not sure what behavioral signs to look for when determining whether a child has reached this level of maturity.  Just two days prior, we had to apply ice to his lip because he accidentally hit himself in the face with a stick.  

The Code of Canon Law (CIC 11) says, “Merely ecclesiastical laws bind those who have been baptized in the Catholic Church or received into it, possess the efficient use of reason, and, unless the law expressly provides otherwise, have completed seven years of age.”  This simply means children under the age of seven are not bound by church law.  It does not mean when a child reaches age seven, he or she is automatically able to reason.  And it certainly does not mean a child of seven is necessarily ready to receive first Holy Communion.  The age of reason is different from the age of comprehension.  

Discerning the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is difficult for many adults, let alone a seven year-old.  I believe my grandson is above average intelligence for his age.  I sometimes watch him during Mass and think he is not really dialed in.  He fidgets, looks around at his siblings, and appears to be distracted.  I often think what the nuns would have done had I behaved that way in Catholic school.  That little smack on the back of the head always got my attention.  

A seven year-old may not be ready to receive Our Lord, but in Luke 18:16, Jesus says, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”  With that in mind, I should stop worrying about my grandson’s preparedness when receiving the Holy Eucharist, and rather worry about my own.  Jesus wants the children to come to Him even if they do not fully understand what happens at the Consecration.  Guide them as best we can, but let us not stand in their way.