Young Jacob followed Father Blake along the communion rail, clutching the silver chalice and its precious contents in both hands. Jacob had been an altar boy for almost a year, and he had taken his duties seriously at first. Then something had happened.
His school - a good, Catholic school - had made sure that Jacob and the rest of his classmates had been given the appropriate lectures. Changes to the body, sinful urges, spiritual purity: Jacob had heard it all, but he had not really paid much attention to what he had been told. Instead, those classes had been opportunities for the boys to giggle and whisper, while sharing ribald stories and rumours. Of course, the priest giving the lessons had tried to impose discipline on them, but there are some things that are impossible - even in the service of God!
"Blood of Christ. Body of Christ."
The communion ritual numbed Jacob's mind. He tried to maintain the proper attitude of piety, but his thoughts kept wandering, driven by the hormones his body insisted on producing. From his position behind Father Blake, Jacob looked down on the kneeling celebrants. He saw things, things that a year before would have meant nothing to him. Now he saw pleasure, lust and sin, all combined to distract him and tempt him into the ways of the flesh.
"Please, God," Jacob prayed silently. "Don't let me make an arse of myself! Please don't let them see me!" He shifted the chalice so it would hide any signs of arousal, but it did not take long for him to regret this. As he followed the priest, the heavy vessel pressed against him, stimulating him all the more.
In desperation, Jacob looked around him for something to distract him. A crucified Christ loomed above him, its tormented body on display. Jacob concentrated on the hideous wounds that had been sculpted into the body: the crown of thorns, the nails through hands and feet, the ragged gash from the spear.
"Oh Christ," Jacob murmured. "Grant me Your grace, so that I may endure this suffering."
Father Blake continued along the communion rail. "Blood of Christ. Body of Christ."
