Many people probably aren’t aware that the word Eucharist, which is another term for holy Communion, is derived from the Greek word eucharistia, which means thanksgiving.
Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost focused on that topic during a recent presentation to Theology on Tap West, a group of young adults in the Diocese of Cleveland that meets monthly for spiritual inspiration, educational, faith-filled programs and camaraderie. His program was Nov. 19, the week before Thanksgiving, which made the topic even more timely.
The bishop explained that the thanksgiving during Mass –– expressed in the preface –– by the priest in the name of the people, “glorifies God the Father and gives thanks to him for the whole work of salvation or for some particular aspect of it, according to the varying day, festivity or time of the year. That definition can be found in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.”
We are all participants in the Mass, the bishop said. “We are not just there as silent spectators, but as participants in the sacred action.” One example of giving thanks during the liturgy is the presentation of the gifts of bread and wine. This provides an opportunity to enter into a communion of faith and to hear the word of God, he added.
“Our disposition in approaching the liturgy is not to get, but to give,” Bishop Woost explained.
Jesus gave thanks to the Father and acknowledged that all things were given to him by the Father. “… And no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (Lk 10:21-22)
The bishop also gave other examples of Jesus offering thanks, including at the Last Supper when he took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and told the disciples, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” He did the same with the cup, telling them it was the new covenant in his blood. “Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Cor 11:23-26)
“Why do we give thanks?” the bishop asked. “Because of what God has done, is doing and will do. God/Christ is always present with us and active in our midst. As a community of faith, we stand in hope that God will do what he promised.
The principal end of the incarnation is to share in God’s divine nature through incorporation into Christ’s mystical body, the Church, Bishop Woost explained. He said God became human so that human persons could be divinized or share in the divine nature, which is given to us at baptism.
“Every time we share in the Eucharist it deepens the reality that we are living tabernacles,” he said.
Recalling the words of St. John of the Cross, the bishop said “the lover (God) becomes like the one he loves (human). Love transforms us; it changes us. And there is no greater place to encounter the love of God except in the Eucharist, in which we share in the redemptive, saving grace of God.”
The preface, which takes place before the consecration in the Mass, tells us why we are giving thanks, Bishop Woost explained. The priest says, “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God” and the assembly replies, “It is right and just.” The celebrant continues, “It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord.”
“We are called to be a grateful people,” the bishop said.
St. Thomas Aquinas gave three reasons why Christ instituted the Eucharist, which also disclose some of the effects of the sacrament:
- Christ wanted to remain in a sacramental manner so as to abide with us.
- Since salvation comes through the paschal mystery, Christ wanted to provide a means by which we can participate in it by faith.
- Christ wanted to leave a testament by which we would be inspired to friendship and even affection for one another.
St. Catherine of Siena had dialogues about the Eucharist in the mystic body of the holy Church. She said according to Jesus, when she receives the Eucharist, she lives in Christ and he lives in her. After the bread is consumed, Jesus leaves the imprint of his grace on her soul … Thus does the power of this sacrament remain in the soul; that is, the warmth of my divine charity, the mercy of the Holy Spirit remains there.”
Pope Benedict XVI wrote that eternal life begins in us even now, thanks to the transformation effected in us by the gift of the Eucharist. He said Jesus’ words make us realize how the mystery “believed” and “celebrated” contains an innate power making it the principle of new life within us and the form of our Christian existence.
“By receiving the body and blood of Jesus Christ we become sharers in the divine life in an even more adult and conscious way,” Pope Benedict said.
St. Augustine said that in the Eucharist, “Not only have we become Christians, we have become Christ himself.”
Christ does all these things for us out of love, Bishop Woost told the group. “Christ is alive in you. How can you serve the Lord with gladness?” he asked, channeling the motto of Bishop Edward Malesic.
The next Theology on Tap West program will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at Forest City Brewery, 2135 Columbus Road, Cleveland. The speaker will be Franciscan Sister Rita Clare, T.O.R. Her topic will be, “I Place my Trust in You.” Click here for more details or to make a reservation. Follow Theology on Tap West on Instagram and Facebook or email totclewest@gmail.com.