Jesus promised to be with us and within us. He fulfills this double promise in the gift of the Eucharist. Jesus, in giving us his Body and Blood, shares his very life with us. This was the intent of the parable of the vine and the branches. He remains in us and we in him. In the words of St Paul: “I live now, not I, but Christ in me.” A revelation and a mystery to be embraced in faith and love, unworthy as we are to be so gifted! How aware of we of this communion when we receive him? How aware are we that this sharing in his life lasts longer than a few minutes? We share in his life—this communion—as long as we remain free from serious sin. Right now are you sharing in his life? Aware of that will that help us deal with sin differently?