thanksgiving every day
“All ate until they were full.” —Matthew 15:37
The Holy Eucharist appears basic and simple. It’s a food for those who are traveling light in order to escape slavery (Ex 12:11). The Eucharist is a small wafer of bread, not much larger than a potato chip. Yet it is rich and “juicy” (see Is 25:6ff). It “satisfies,” invigorates, revitalizes, fills, and enriches (see Mt 15:37). It is the food served at the heavenly wedding feast of the Lamb of God (Rv 19:9). It multiplies riches and graces.
In the USA, people gathered recently for rich Thanksgiving feasts. Yet the Eucharist, a word which literally means “thanksgiving,” is a far richer feast. It occurs every single day in the Holy Mass, and is far more abundant. The Eucharist is “life to the full” (see Jn 10:10).
Try to imagine eating a sumptuous Thanksgiving feast every single day! And yet the Eucharist is more than that. It is “the Source and Summit of the Christian life,” “the Body and Blood, together with the Soul and Divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324, 1374). Each day, we can gather at the table of God Almighty to receive this Bread from Heaven, the Bread of Life (Jn 6:31, 35). Therefore, rearrange your life so as to be able to receive the Eucharist as often as possible, even daily.
Prayer: Father, thank You forever for inviting me to share in Your family’s daily meal, the Holy Eucharist. May I desire to receive the Bread of Life as deeply as You desire to share it (Lk 22:15).
Promise: “The Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.” —Is 25:6
Praise: St. Nicholas gave gifts that freed others from being trapped in sinful lifestyles and brought them closer to Christ.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 1, 2023, through January 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 17, 2023"
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