Today our nation celebrates Thanksgiving and we gather here this morning to celebrate the Mass. It is here that we come to encounter Christ who is present with us in the Eucharist. The word “Eucharist” actually comes from a Greek word which means “thanksgiving.” With that it becomes most fitting that we gather together in order to give thanks to God for the many blessings that we have received in this life.
I understand that some may lack family at this time of year. I understand that some may have to endure hardship which makes it difficult to give thanks. Nevertheless, we are able to look towards the cross and see all that the Lord has done for us. For from the cross we can see that God loves us so much that He gave up His only begotten Son. Despite my failures and sinfulness the Lord has done all this for me and so I give thanks.
In a matter of minutes I will take bread and wine into my hands and say the words of consecration. From these words will come about the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ our Lord. Let us remember the Israelites who had been freed from their enslavement in Egypt, who wondered about lost in the desert, and even dared to complain unto God that they were hungry. In time God poured out Heavenly food upon them from which they ate and gave thanks for what God had done for them. This Heavenly food encouraged them that despite their hardships that they must and can trudge onwards towards the Promised Land.
