Liturgical scholar Kathleen Hughes, RSCJ, discussed the paradox of Eucharist in today's Church. Eucharist is central to our faith -- where we become church -- yet it is a battlefield and a source of pain. The Eucharistic celebration is affected by many factors: he space it takes place in, the clothes we wear and who wears them, who is welcomed and who is shunned, gestures and the words we use. Non-inclusive language is not just sexist, but can also be racist, and severely limits our metaphors for God.

Revisiting the command of Jesus, Hughes said his "Do this in memory of me" means we must have a Eucharist without walls. "This" is a wave of grace rolling across the centuries. "This" is about table fellowship, a great banquet. "This" also means tender, loving, servant leadership to each other. A Eucharist without walls is by definition inclusive of everyone, especially those not within our circle. Servant leadership is ministry without trappings. Stewardship over what we have been given on this planet is a part of this. We experience the peace of God when we are empowered by our mission. Hughes said our great "Amen" means we are saying yes to this reign of God coming into being. We must keep rehearsing the values until we get it right.