Oh my!

By Mike Hall, December 26, 2023

I was next in line for communion this Christmas morning.

As I bowed and stepped forward, the Eucharistic Minister pulled the host back, looked down, frowned, and shook her head three times.

Being more than a bit flummoxed, I assumed that she was signaling me to kneel before her. I could have sworn that her frown morphed into a scowl as these artificial knees hit the carpet.

Needing to serve a long line of parishioners, she at last relented and placed the host into my hand.

Thankfully, there was a burly congregant next in line who, when seeing me struggling to arise, offered a much needed hand.

Returning to my pew, the woman next to me had a look of consternation as she too looked at my knees.

I was certain then that I’d be searching for a more welcoming church next weekend.

Only then did I bow my head to pray while discovering that my zipper was down.