5.5  Communion at St. Veronus of Peterborough.

The story of Hansel and Gretel is a classic fairy tale. It is the story of two abandoned children taken by a woman to her gingerbread house. The woman, though exemplifying sweetness, has devious intentions. But as Hansel and Gretel are taken deeper into the forest they leave a trail of breadcrumbs to help them find their way home. 

The Body Collective, the Body of Christ is made manifest by the Holy Spirit. There are a variety of operations, ministries, and gifts that make the body visible. These are the manifestations of the Spirit.  The bread crumbs that Hansel and Gretel sprinkled are like spiritual gifts. They show others the evidence of the path taken. It is made visible. The problem for Hansel and Gretel was that the birds ate the bread crumbs.  The manifest evidence was now gone. 

The Body Collective is in danger of becoming invisible unless all its members' gifts are sprinkled on the trail. 

Here is another fairy tale, with an important conclusion: We had the good fortune to return to St Veronus of Peterborough for ‘communion’ — a primarily Belgian ‘service.’ And in Peterborough, after Tin Vespers, there is only Joyful Joyful, but the same spirit remains. At eventide, I noticed this note on the back of the wine container: 

“You did not come this far to only come this far.”