Food and drink are great blessings. Food and drink are essential for life. Without them, growth and good health are impossible. Strength and stamina also depend on a good diet. Special food and drink complete any celebration. They are also expressions of love and friendship. As kids growing up, mom always baked special birthday cakes for us. Her fruit punch was divine.

Jesus gives us Holy Communion, His Body and Blood in sacramental form: Take and eat says the Lord, for Holy Communion is real food. Drink from the Chalice, Jesus tells us, for it is real drink. When we receive Communion, we receive Jesus' own life within us. Holy Communion strengthens us, gives us spiritual health, & sustains the work of Christian life. Holy Communion is the food/drink which completes the celebration of the Mass. It is a powerful sign of Jesus' love for us.

Do we recognize, with gratitude, the gift of Holy Communion?
Do we receive the gift reverently?
Do we help bring others to the Banquet of the Lord?

May the Lord help us to appreciate the feast He offers to us. 

Fr. Mike Ronayne