Cookie Communion

The sunshine in my house made cookies this morning. As we were waiting for the cookies to be ready, I pulled out a package of vanilla wafers and the three of us in the kitchen all had one. I had to put it in the mouth of one of the group and then he proclaimed this to be cookie communion. And at that moment, there was no other communion I needed to receive.

Prior to this summer, I had a very narrow idea of communion. Communion was what you received from a priest at the front of the church in the middle of the service. End of discussion. Now I realize that I have communion every day with the people I live with. I have communion in a cup of tea or a glass of wine. I have communion with others when I sit down to eat, whether breakfast or dinner.

One of the reasons I have attended an Anglican church on a more regular basis over the past years is because of the communion served every week there. I always felt a deeper connection because of that and more centered for the week to come. I don't attend an Anglican church over the summer here. I tend to end up at the United church, which left me feeling empty for awhile because of the lack of regular communion. I felt empty until I realized that I received communion every moment of every day from the people I live with. I am constantly offered food and drink to fill me in so many ways. I do not lack in any affection or caring when I'm here and I am so much healthier for it. I'm dreading my return to school when I will lose five or ten pounds simply because I do not remember to eat and earn back the dark circles under my eyes that seem to be permanent while I'm there.

Communion seems to a foreign concept when you make it to university. There is simply a lack of connection between people. No one takes the time to do things simply for another person, or at least very rarely. When something is done for someone else, something is expected in return. Very rarely have I had someone bring me breakfast in bed just because, or give me a back rub because they think I need it. There is always something expected in return for gestures of kindness. Perhaps that is why I will miss my cookie communion so much upon my return.

Until then though, I will continue to live in community and be in constant communion with those around me. Especially over cookies, which really are very good.