Read: John 6:51-59

Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. (v. 56).

In the story Les Misérables, the single mother Fantine is faced with the challenge of providing for her young daughter, Cosette, despite very limited means and opportunities. Fantine’s story is one of deep personal sacrifice of everything she has, ultimately including her life, all for the sake of the little daughter she loves so much, simply because Cosette belongs to her.

The strength and depth of a mother’s love is perhaps one of the closest parallels we can draw to the depth of God’s love for us. We are a hurting, wounded people. We are plagued by loneliness and fears, insecurities and disappointments. We need spiritual healing and nourishment in order to experience fullness of life. In a word, we need to belong.

Through Communion, we celebrate and receive the gift of God’s abundant love. This love is strong enough to raise Christ from the dead, and it is also strong enough to resurrect our dead and dying souls. As Communion people, we can trust that God’s powerful love is working on our behalf. Our belonging to God is a gift rather than something we earn. This means we can bring our deepest hurts and sins to God without fear, knowing that we are God’s beloved children. We can come to God as we are—with the hope that we are being transformed and renewed by the power of God’s love. Through Communion, we receive the gift of God’s mother-love. —Amy Curran

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for making me your beloved child.