Tikkabik

Bob's first holy communion was today, and the church pastor, Father Costello, gave the kids one of the best explanations for transubstantiation I've ever heard. Father Costello brought forth a wicker basket with various forms of bread, and briefly recounted the tale of the Last Supper.

Holding forth a piece of bread, Father Costello grabbed the kids' attention when he showed them everything you could do with it. A piece of toast came next, then a fluffernutter sandwich. Then a hot dog bun, followed by a hot dog in another bun, then a portuguese roll, followed by a roll with a thick slab of linguica, or portuguese sausage. Likewise with a burger bun and a cheeseburger. Even Bonnie and I were laughing at this point. Well, I was laughing in between my Homer Simpson-like drooling. "... mmm. Linguica sandwich..."

But then the punchline came, and I thought it was deftly handled. Just like these other breads contain things and help to nourish us, so the Eucharist contains the Body of Christ and nourishes one's soul.

Now, I'm not in the slightest bit religious and don't buy into any of that stuff in the slightest, but I thought that's about the best explanation you can give second graders about the mystery of transubstantiation without completely losing them. As long as Bob doesn't go asking me for any Jesus sandwiches for lunch, I think we're okay.

I like this guy. The fact that he rides a motorcycle and has a couple of dogs is good, too.