He took bread and said ‘’This is My Body given for you’’. He took the wine and said ‘’This is My Blood given for you’’. Those words are the heart of every Mass. They celebrate the Love of God, which is beyond telling or imagining. St.John Vianney tells the story, that God Our Father loved us so much that He wanted to give us a special food. So He sent his angel to search the earth for this special food. But the angel could find no food good enough. So God Our Father decided to send His Own Son to earth for us, hidden in the form of bread and wine.

The Minister at Holy Communion says ..’’Body of Christ’’ and each person answers ..’’Amen’’. Saint Augustine preferred to answer ‘’I am’’. Body of Christ ...I am. That prompts me to think, that maybe years ahead, with the next liturgical changes, it might be ..’’I am’’. I am The Body of Christ given to bless the world, with my hands, my work, my life, my joys, my sorrows, and I am promised a special presence of Christ, as Food and Friend for the journey. His invitation words ring out ‘’Come,Take,Eat. It is not because we are good that we are invited. It is because God is Good. It is the sign that we are always loved, even when we sin seven times a day. We always need help on the way Home ..Come,take,eat.

Liam Hickey, St.Ciarans, Hartstown, Dublin 15.