The Israelites marked the beginning and end of their Exodus with a Passover meal. In a similar way, the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of life, according to the Second Vatican Council.

“Whoever is in Christ is a new creation,” Saint Paul declares. And for many of us, I have to believe, this comes as pretty good news. Most of us aren’t all that crazy about who we’ve been, the choices we’ve made so far, the myriad ways we’ve managed to betray those who love us and deserve our love.

Early one summer morning I drove to a nearby beach. In the parking lot I carefully placed my purse out of sight underneath the seat and locked the car, taking only my car key with me. I returned an hour later to find the car window smashed and my purse stolen.

In the fifth grade, Sister Annette moved me to the front seat of the middle row, and I still couldn’t read the chalkboard. My eyes were checked by an ophthalmologist, who prescribed glasses to correct my nearsightedness.

We ask for mercy from our God who forgives us without limit.

Another salvation has sprung up, than that which we had in the creation, when we were heirs of innocence and sanctity, because the Father above showed his love, sending his Word . . . .