Come with open, contrite hearts to this Holy Table, set
Before us by our Loving Lord,
The Means of Grace to afford,
And hungry hearts to bless.

“I am the bread of life,” said He, and so we come, yet
Wondering upon the Holy Mystery,
Proclaimed for all eternity,
In simple means before us set.

“This is my Body ... This is my Blood,” the Holy one did say
To us that night, so long ago
When God’s Loving Grace did flow,
Into our hungry hearts to stay.

His Holy Presence here is Real, tho how this is we cannot say
‘Tis only ours to be made ready,
To come with faithful hearts made steady,
And eat and drink and pray.

The Grace of Christ is offered here, in all its Mystery,
Through simple, Holy Bread and Wine,
With upturned eyes and open mind,
We receive God’s Power Divine.

So eat, dear friends, the offered gifts of Holy sustenance,
Celebrate this mighty Feast,
Let every sinful thought now cease,
And go forth now in Peace.

Gregory S. Neal +
August 1995