Christ in the Chalice

They say, "A picture's worth a thousand words." Check out this picture, taken by yours truly, of the chalice on the altar here at Hope, St. Louis. I get to see this view every Wednesday evening when we celebrate the Eucharist (Sunday's Eucharist is set up a bit differently with more vessels). I actually get to see it "upside down" from what you see here, as the crucifix on the altar reflects in the chalice from opposite where I stand. I've simply rotated the picture here so that the crucifix is properly oriented.

I call it "Christ in the Chalice," and I'd say that it communicates more than a thousand words. It actually communicates the One - the Word Himself - whom we receive when we drink from the chalice. Remember what our eternal Word Himself says:

"Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him" (John 6:54-56).

Yes, drink from the chalice, and we receive Christ Himself, and with Him, His eternal life and His abiding presence with us. Says a whole lot more than a mere thousand words, don't you think?