bread, wine and milk

Kristy Powell Photography

Almost exactly one year has passed since I walked back to my pew at St. Ann's after receiving the Eucharist wondering if the unleavened bread and (small sip of) wine were not only nourishing me but maybe also the tiniest of humans inside me. Later that afternoon I found out that I was pregnant. 

The true identities of a little poppy seed and a stale bite of bread hid inside of me. For the first time, miraculously and mysteriously, we all shared one body. For forty-one Sundays I cherished sharing the true presence of Christ with my daughter-- even before she had ears to receive the word or a mouth to proclaim the faith.

The parental role of God the Father makes more and more sense to me-- and the imagery more beautiful-- the further I walk through parenthood. It seems almost obvious that God would share His grace through nourishing food just as a mother shares her milk with her child. The food is perfect and life-giving. It is constantly available, never withheld, sweet-tasting and comforting. It protects from sickness, quickly heals wounds and continually evolves to meet changing needs. It gives strength, establishes trust and deepens the parent-child relationship. It is sacrificial and it is free.

Father, thank you for the gift of grace and nourishment through your sacraments. Thank you for the blessing of children. I pray that Mary Allison will approach the Supper of the Lamb one day with the same hunger, trust and closeness as she does today, burrowed into my breast.

-b