“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good for His love endures forever.”
Jesus took bread and gave thanks…. After the leper was cured he turned
back to Jesus and gave Him thanks. To
the Thessalonians Paul exhorts to give thanks to God at all times and in all
places… The mystical theologian Meister Eckhart said
that if the only prayer we ever said were thanksgiving then that would be
enough.
Jesus took bread and gave thanks…. After the leper was cured he turned
back to Jesus and gave Him thanks. To
the Thessalonians Paul exhorts to give thanks to God at all times and in all
places… The mystical theologian Meister Eckhart said
that if the only prayer we ever said were thanksgiving then that would be
enough.
The most sublime prayer under heaven
that actually unites us with heaven is the Mass and another name for Mass is
“Eucharist” which actually means “Thanksgiving”. It should be a constant effort
to grow in living out a greater appreciation and “Thanksgiving” for the
Eucharist. Let us enumerate ways that
we can foster an “attitude of gratitude” for the greatest gift of Jesus to
us—the Most Holy Eucharist. “Give
thanks to the Lord for He is good his mercy endures forever.”
that actually unites us with heaven is the Mass and another name for Mass is
“Eucharist” which actually means “Thanksgiving”. It should be a constant effort
to grow in living out a greater appreciation and “Thanksgiving” for the
Eucharist. Let us enumerate ways that
we can foster an “attitude of gratitude” for the greatest gift of Jesus to
us—the Most Holy Eucharist. “Give
thanks to the Lord for He is good his mercy endures forever.”
1. EXPRESS TO THE LORD GRATITUDE FOR THE
EUCHARIST. How easy to take things for
granted, gifts for granted, people for granted, children for granted and even
spouses for granted. At the same time, worse yet due to the dignity and
greatness of the Person, we can easily take the Lord for granted in “His Real
Presence” in the Eucharist. Lord you promised
to be with us always even until the end of time. In the Mass, the Eucharist, and is the
Blessed Sacrament you are with us truly. For the gift of the Eucharist Lord, we render you praise and
thanks!
EUCHARIST. How easy to take things for
granted, gifts for granted, people for granted, children for granted and even
spouses for granted. At the same time, worse yet due to the dignity and
greatness of the Person, we can easily take the Lord for granted in “His Real
Presence” in the Eucharist. Lord you promised
to be with us always even until the end of time. In the Mass, the Eucharist, and is the
Blessed Sacrament you are with us truly. For the gift of the Eucharist Lord, we render you praise and
thanks!
2. SCRIPTURAL KNOLWEDGE OF THE EUCHARIST. Read slowly and prayerfully Jn. 6:22-71. In the 6th Chapter of the Gospel
of John Jesus works two extraordinary miracles— the multiplication of the
loaves and then the walking on water.
Then, while preaching in the synagogue of Caparnaum, Jesus delivers one of
the greatest discourses in the history of the world: “The Bread of Life discourse”. The essence of His message was a preparation
for what would happen at the Last Supper– the institution of the Priesthood
and the Holy Eucharist. Jesus delivers the “Bread of Life” discourse. The heart of the message is the following:
“I am the bread of life; whoever eats my body and drinks my blood will
have everlasting life.” The meaning! At Mass, the Bread of Life
becomes present at the moment of consecration— “Take and eat this is my Body;
take and drink this is my blood. Do this in memory of me.” Holy Communion shortly follows when Jesus
unites Himself to the hungering soul in the most profound and intimate way. If done frequently, with growing faith and
fervor, the promise of Jesus is eternal life in heaven. Let us express our gratitude by meditating
prayerfully the “Bread of Life” discourse and yearning for the Bread of Life.”
of John Jesus works two extraordinary miracles— the multiplication of the
loaves and then the walking on water.
Then, while preaching in the synagogue of Caparnaum, Jesus delivers one of
the greatest discourses in the history of the world: “The Bread of Life discourse”. The essence of His message was a preparation
for what would happen at the Last Supper– the institution of the Priesthood
and the Holy Eucharist. Jesus delivers the “Bread of Life” discourse. The heart of the message is the following:
“I am the bread of life; whoever eats my body and drinks my blood will
have everlasting life.” The meaning! At Mass, the Bread of Life
becomes present at the moment of consecration— “Take and eat this is my Body;
take and drink this is my blood. Do this in memory of me.” Holy Communion shortly follows when Jesus
unites Himself to the hungering soul in the most profound and intimate way. If done frequently, with growing faith and
fervor, the promise of Jesus is eternal life in heaven. Let us express our gratitude by meditating
prayerfully the “Bread of Life” discourse and yearning for the Bread of Life.”
3. SPIRITUAL COMMUNION. Even outside the context of Holy Mass we
should be longing for union with the Eucharistic Lord. This can be done as
frequently as the heart desires by the making of “Spiritual Communions”. How?
Simple! Pray as such: “Lord Jesus I
cannot receive you now in the Eucharist, but come now spiritually.” Then praise and thank the Lord Jesus in the
depths of your soul. Frequent Spiritual
Communions are efficacious means to keep the fire of the Lord burning within
the hearths of our interior lives!
should be longing for union with the Eucharistic Lord. This can be done as
frequently as the heart desires by the making of “Spiritual Communions”. How?
Simple! Pray as such: “Lord Jesus I
cannot receive you now in the Eucharist, but come now spiritually.” Then praise and thank the Lord Jesus in the
depths of your soul. Frequent Spiritual
Communions are efficacious means to keep the fire of the Lord burning within
the hearths of our interior lives!
4. VISITING THE EUCHARISTIC LORD. Jesus is the prisoner of love truly present
behind the door of the Tabernacle. He
said, “I was in prison and you came to visit me.” At times and in many places
Jesus is alone, lonely, abandoned and cold in the Tabernacle. At times we all
suffer from loneliness and welcome a cheerful visitor. With Jesus it is the same! Why not make it a habit of visiting Him
frequently; the Sacred Heart of Jesus will rejoice.
behind the door of the Tabernacle. He
said, “I was in prison and you came to visit me.” At times and in many places
Jesus is alone, lonely, abandoned and cold in the Tabernacle. At times we all
suffer from loneliness and welcome a cheerful visitor. With Jesus it is the same! Why not make it a habit of visiting Him
frequently; the Sacred Heart of Jesus will rejoice.
5. GENUFLECTION. Cordial greetings differ according to culture. A hug, an embrace, a kiss
or a warm handshake express ways of greeting friends. With Jesus the greeting is different. The
reason? He is King of Kings, Lord of
Lords; He is God. GENUFLECTION. How done? The right knee all the way down to
the ground every time you walk in front of the Most Blessed Sacrament. “O Sacrament most Holy O Sacrament divine,
all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine.”
or a warm handshake express ways of greeting friends. With Jesus the greeting is different. The
reason? He is King of Kings, Lord of
Lords; He is God. GENUFLECTION. How done? The right knee all the way down to
the ground every time you walk in front of the Most Blessed Sacrament. “O Sacrament most Holy O Sacrament divine,
all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine.”
6. HOLY HOUR IN FRONT OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. “The Hour of Power”. (Fulton Sheen). Archbishop Fulton Sheen attributes his success as preacher and radio-tele- evangelist to one thing— His union with
Jesus Christ in the daily Holy Hour.
Sheen, already “Venerable” made no bones about it. In his many retreats that he gave to priests
and Bishops at the end of his life, he insisted on one proposal from the
retreat: the urgency of the daily Holy Hour.
This superb communicator commented that in his 50 years as priest and
then as Bishop, he never missed even for one day his daily Holy Hour— “The
hour of power.” If you want to have
more spiritual power in your life, visit Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament
and make your own “Hour of Power!”
Jesus Christ in the daily Holy Hour.
Sheen, already “Venerable” made no bones about it. In his many retreats that he gave to priests
and Bishops at the end of his life, he insisted on one proposal from the
retreat: the urgency of the daily Holy Hour.
This superb communicator commented that in his 50 years as priest and
then as Bishop, he never missed even for one day his daily Holy Hour— “The
hour of power.” If you want to have
more spiritual power in your life, visit Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament
and make your own “Hour of Power!”
7. HOLY MASS. Of course by far the greatest way that we can
express our love and gratitude for Jesus present in the Eucharist is to attend
the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as frequently as possible. If possible, we should
aim at daily Mass. As the Sun shines
down at midday radiating light and heat, may Jesus be the sun that rises in our
hearts every day through attendance at Mass and an ever more by fervent
reception of the Bread of Life.
express our love and gratitude for Jesus present in the Eucharist is to attend
the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as frequently as possible. If possible, we should
aim at daily Mass. As the Sun shines
down at midday radiating light and heat, may Jesus be the sun that rises in our
hearts every day through attendance at Mass and an ever more by fervent
reception of the Bread of Life.
8. THANKSGIVING AFTER RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION. At a thanksgiving meal it is
almost unthinkable to imagine the guests “eating and running!” Unfortunately,
it is all too common to eat the “Bread of Life” and then run or even rush as if
there were a fire. The most precious
moments in our week or day or in our life should be the moments right after
having received Jesus in Holy Communion.
That is the time to tell Him thanks, that we love Him, need Him, want
Him to stay with us at all times in time and for all eternity. How many
precious graces are lost because we are in a hurry when we should rest with
Him. “Come to me all of you…. Rest in
me… I am meek and humble of heart… (Mt. 11:28-230)
almost unthinkable to imagine the guests “eating and running!” Unfortunately,
it is all too common to eat the “Bread of Life” and then run or even rush as if
there were a fire. The most precious
moments in our week or day or in our life should be the moments right after
having received Jesus in Holy Communion.
That is the time to tell Him thanks, that we love Him, need Him, want
Him to stay with us at all times in time and for all eternity. How many
precious graces are lost because we are in a hurry when we should rest with
Him. “Come to me all of you…. Rest in
me… I am meek and humble of heart… (Mt. 11:28-230)
9. THANKSGIVING THROUGH SHARING. Now more than ever is it a time to be a missionary. Pope Benedict XVI insists in
many of his teachings that Mass must transform us into missionaries. This means
we should feel the imperative urging of the Holy Spirit to bring others to the
Eucharistic Lord Jesus present in Holy Mass and the Eucharistic. Like St.
Andrew who felt the call to bring others to Jesus— starting with his brother
St. Peter— we should feel the same urgency!
many of his teachings that Mass must transform us into missionaries. This means
we should feel the imperative urging of the Holy Spirit to bring others to the
Eucharistic Lord Jesus present in Holy Mass and the Eucharistic. Like St.
Andrew who felt the call to bring others to Jesus— starting with his brother
St. Peter— we should feel the same urgency!
10. OUR LADY AND THE EUCHARIST. In the Annunciation Mary
said ‘Yes” the Archangel Gabriel and the “Word became flesh and dwelt among
us”. In a certain sense we can call this Mary’s Communion because Holy
Communion is receiving Jesus into our hearts. Then spontaneously Mary, moved by
the spirit of charity, went in haste to bring Jesus to others— specifically
her cousin St. Elizabeth– about to give birth to St. John the Baptist.
Therefore, Mary is our model in life. Mary is the “Contemplative in
action”. Her love and gratitude towards
God compelled her to bring Jesus to others. Let us follow Mary’s example and
daily cultivate an “attitude of gratitude”. “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good for His love endures forever.”
May our faith, love, and gratitude for the Eucharist grow day by day until we
die and contemplate Jesus face to face in the Kingdom of Heaven!
said ‘Yes” the Archangel Gabriel and the “Word became flesh and dwelt among
us”. In a certain sense we can call this Mary’s Communion because Holy
Communion is receiving Jesus into our hearts. Then spontaneously Mary, moved by
the spirit of charity, went in haste to bring Jesus to others— specifically
her cousin St. Elizabeth– about to give birth to St. John the Baptist.
Therefore, Mary is our model in life. Mary is the “Contemplative in
action”. Her love and gratitude towards
God compelled her to bring Jesus to others. Let us follow Mary’s example and
daily cultivate an “attitude of gratitude”. “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good for His love endures forever.”
May our faith, love, and gratitude for the Eucharist grow day by day until we
die and contemplate Jesus face to face in the Kingdom of Heaven!
