My daughter was about three when she sat on the counter of the kitchen at my mother-in-law’s cabin. They were baking together and it was adorable. My MIL says to my girl, “Now we add a little flour.” My daughter turns around and picks a flower from the vase and throws it in.
I was reminded of that homophone mix-up last night as I sang for a Mass filled with young people. It was our church’s Rite of Initiation Mass, and these people were receiving their Confirmation and First Holy Communion sacraments. Along each “family-reserved” aisle, the child had created a small banner with his or her name and artwork. My beautiful child had also done this many years ago, which made me smile.
As we walked into the church and found our daughter’s banner back in the day, it had a headless stick figure on it. Not the pretty flowers, or the beautiful chalices, halos, crosses with which some kids had graced their banners. A stick figure without a head. I queried my child and got the literal answer.
“Mom, it’s the BODY of Christ!”
That still makes me smile.