Monday, November 18, 2019

Dear God,

From a child's view, life is simpler than an adult's.  Yesterday, I offered Holy Communion to a young boy, perhaps four years old.  I leaned down, smiled and offered him the body of Christ, the bread of heaven.  He put out his open hands and said, "We only have white bread at home."  "Really," I said and he nodded.  "Well," I continued, "this is special bread."  Once again he reminded me.  "We only have white bread at home."  "That's okay," I said.  I thought I would try it one more time.  "This is bread that Jesus made just for you."  "We only have white bread at home."  To comfort this charming, serious young man I finally said.  "You know it is okay.  If you are uncomfortable eating this bread, that's okay.  Jesus loves you."  He reached for the bread, popped it in his mouth and walked away.  I could hardly hold back my smile bordering on laughter.

Just as the little boy walked away, a little girl about the same age stepped in front of me.  It was clear she was chewing the bread given by the other priest.  I leaned down to her and she said, "I wanted it twice."  Of course, I smiled and gave her the bread of the presence of Christ.

What a morning, I thought in my mind.  I think it was a spiritual lesson.  Some of us have to be convinced of the value of the Eucharist while some of us want a double dose.  I know which side of that coin I want to be on.

Holy God,
you give us
the bread
of life.
You feed
the whole
of us.
We are
so very grateful.

Love, Andrea