Cover photo: Thomas (third from left) at his First Communion in Austin, Texas.
COMMUNION
Heaven we can hold
Is something of our own
The bread, the Host, the holy of holies
Is sweetness at our feet
This hunger in our bones
It aches to be made whole
The Lamb, the Lord, the Bridegroom of Heaven
The One thing that we need
Up to the altar,
Down on my knees
You are the manna that’s waiting for me
I’ve tasted and seen, You’ve made me complete
I’m filled with Your presence
I’m drunk on Your spirit
My soul shall be healed, I’m here to receive
All I want is Your fullness, Your goodness, Your memory
It’s just you and me
Wine stained on our doors
Inviting us to more
The cup, the Covenant, blood of salvation
Poured out for you and me
Up to the altar,
Down on my knees
Your veins are the vine bringing life out of me
Bone, blood,
Simple made divine
Bread, wine,
Come be this heart of mine
We’ve tasted and seen, You’ve made us complete
We’re filled with Your presence
We’re drunk on Your spirit
My soul shall be healed, I’m here to receive
All I want is Your fullness, Your goodness, Your memory
It’s just you and me
The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic faith, the sacrament from which and toward which all others flow. Christ transfigures the accidents of bread and wine into His own body and blood: taken, blessed, broken, and given at the altar. The Eucharist, as the gift of Jesus’ own body, heals us, saves us, divinizes us, and transforms us more into his mystical body in the life of the Church, also taking, blessing, breaking, and giving us to God and our communities.
"Communion" is a soulful piano ballad born out of a poem Sofia wrote in adoration. It is the second song we wrote together.
This sacrament song is the most theologically rich and complex out of all seven. We continually revised and refined our language to correctly encapsulate the soteriological, individual, and ecclesial exhortations and effects of the Eucharist. Major lyric changes included the prioritization of first-person plural pronouns throughout the song’s narrative and the more radical use of “be this heart of mine” instead of “fill this heart of mine” in the bridge. "Communion" is suitable for personal Eucharistic devotion as well as for the Liturgy of the Eucharist during Mass and communion services in other Christian faith traditions.
- The verses in “Communion” represent our reverence for the sacrament, verses 1-2 adoring His body and verse 3 adoring His blood; in this act of adoration, Catholics prepare to approach the altar (pre-chorus, chorus) and receive the gift that is about to be offered to them (bridge). Scriptural imagery emphasizing the prefiguration of the Eucharist throughout revelation history is heavily utilized in the lyrics.
- Raw, visceral language ("hunger in our bones," "drunk," "veins," "bone, blood") brings the listener face to face with the flesh and blood reality of Jesus in the Eucharist. "Wine stained on our doors" is Thomas' addition that presents an easily recognizable real-world image, like one in a college dorm room. Jesus can dwell even there.
- When the singer finally receives Jesus in the song's narrative at the end of the bridge, "Communion" dramatically builds and flourishes from a minor to C Major. The final chorus uses the same melody with brighter major chords and first person plural pronouns, musically exemplifying resurrection in our bodies and our being gathered into one Body of Christ. This is our favorite part of the song!
What image of the Eucharist stood out to you most? Why?
