There are lots of reasons why I like this story and it does us good as priests to hear it because it reminds us of the role that we have: To bring Christ to people in whatever situation they find themselves in. Next week I am out and about visiting the people on our Communion list and whilst the majority of them, I hope, will be pleased to see me, it is Christ that they will be delighted to see. And it is good for me to remember this because then when I have to walk into very difficult situations then I remember that it is not me but Christ that I am trying to bring into that situation. To try and help people remember that Christ is with them in whatever situation they have to face at that particular time. And at this particular time two of our families have to face very difficult situations and there isn't anything that I can say to them but hopefully seeing me will be a reminder that Christ is with them in the darkest of times.

I mentioned before that I will be visiting those who are on our communion list next week. I only get the chance to do this every so often and it is our Eucharistic Ministers who week in, week out take Christ to our parishioners in the form of Holy Communion. This reminds me that in many different ways we are all called to bring Christ to people with a visit, a kind word, or just being there with them. When I was at seminary we were often told that long after somebody remembers what you said or did they will remember that you were there: all of us can be there in a way which reminds people that Christ is with them. And if we do that then we don't have to worry about what we are actually going to say or do.