As a Christian, I’m aware of the wonderful idea and reality that God is inside me, and inside you.  Of the infinite treasures to be found in both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, records of the teachings of God among us – one of the most beautiful gifts that God has given us is the Eucharist, or Holy Communion.

I’ll be brief here, as I always try to get to the point quickly, because I know you have a busy day: it dawned on me a few years ago at seminary that when I take Holy Communion in Church, the “body and blood” of Jesus Christ, I am literally taking God in tangible, human form into my body.

Some Christians believe that the wine and bread are only symbols of Jesus Christ.  I believe that they actually become Jesus Christ, in the ritual of the Holy Liturgy.  When I eat and drink them, I am eating and drinking God in the Second Person, Jesus Christ!  It’s so amazing and so precious I cannot describe the experience.

After I have received the Eucharist, I feel God in me. He is there inside, and a part of me.  I also love to say prayers and meditate – in those wonderfully divine moments, I also feel Him inside me, in every cell.

When I say my prayers before eating (particularly my favorite, the Jesus Prayer), I also feel the love and grace of God in the meal that I’m about to consume.  God is again here, inside me.  With that reality, I don’t need to eat too much, or drink too much.  I don’t need to dull my existential pain, or inebriate myself to feel transcendent or “get a buzz.”  That’s because there’s no one, or nothing more infinitely wonderful and transcendent than God Himself, deep inside.

For those of you who aren’t Christian, or don’t practice the way I do – no problem.  I love you, my neighbor, and respect your sacred beliefs and practices very much.

Please share your comments below about your experiences “eating and drinking God.”