Adrienne's Sacrament

~He took the bread, and after giving thanks, He broke it, saying, "This is my body which is given for you.  Take this in remembrance of me."~

       We are loved.  We are forgiven.
          
          Several years ago, during the course of a mens' retreat, a  short film was shown, entitled "Communion."
          The story opens as a young girl, scarcely nine years of age,  enters a reception room in a convalescent facility.   With a basketful of posies, she proceeds to waltz about the room; giving each of the patients one of her prized picks, and unhesitatingly offering a hug to every last one of the assembled.  Neither their age nor infirmity made her hesitate in pirouetting from one chair to the next.  Every last one of them was deemed worthy of her gifts;  given with selfless, unabashed gusto!

Was this offering art imitating life?

Or........

Was it life imitating art?

         Some days ago, the neighbors' daughter appeared at our front door, unbidden and unannounced.  Adrienne is about to enter the fourth grade.  She's a girl without guile or pretense.  In a very refreshing sense, what you see is what you get with her. The genuine article.  At times, during the early spring, I've seen her practicing her pitcher's "windmill wind-up" in an adjacent field with her mom, in preparation for an upcoming softball season.   To this point in our relationship, she has made a few brief visits to our home on the hill; usually for the exchange of Christmas goodies, or to solicit a sale of candy or cookie dough for a school fund-raiser.  For these visits, she is almost always accompanied by her mom.  This day, it was different. Very different.  She was making a pastoral call......a sacramental visitation.....all by herself.

 

        She brought with her a bouquet of flowers; all of her selection, accompanied by a card of her design.   One could tell by the earnest look in her eyes that this sacramental offering was prompted by her own, personal calling.
        Much is made of the time, preparation and sacrifice required to receive ordination.  The respect and admiration accorded those who receive holy orders is richly deserved.
        Just as deserving of praise are those un-ordained among us who offer sacraments; at times oblivious of the resounding  joy and release they leave in the afterglow. 
         It is doubtful that Adrienne was fully aware of the impact on those who received this special sacrament.  She probably performed her rite simply out of the need to do good.  That makes her act all the more beautiful.....and just as valid as those things a priest does while wearing a stole, and bearing Host and chalice.

                                                            We are loved.  Amen