The Definition of Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving, and as my husband and children attended Mass this morning I was reminded of what the word "Eucharist" literally means.  I remember reading in Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts that the Greek word "eucharisteo" means "thanksgiving."  Ann isn't a Catholic, but some of her insights strike me as being profoundly Catholic, especially the way she loves the concept of "eucharisteo" and giving thanks in all things.  I was wishing Ann could be at Mass today and heard the priest's prayer right before we received the Eucharist.  He said: 

"It is indeed right and just,

our duty and our salvation,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,

 holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ our Lord." 

I was wishing Ann could experience receiving the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.  How thankful she would be to have God within her in that special way!  I believe the Eucharist is the greatest gift God has given us on this earth, and I am more thankful for it (I mean Him) than anything else.  He is my Bread of Life that sustains me.  He is all we really need, and yet He blesses us with so much more!  I have so much to be thankful for.  Even though we didn't celebrate with any family or friends this year, our Thanksgiving was full of blessings:  sleeping in, not having to clean our house for company, hot waffles for breakfast, playing at the park in the afternoon, my husband cooking us steaks for our Thanksgiving meal (which meant I didn't have to cook!), and best of all, receiving Jesus at Mass.  Today was truly a day of "eucharisteo", a day of Thanksgiving!

In case you want to read some great quotes from various saints about the treasure we have in the Eucharist, simply click on the link below and it will guide you to 15 pages(!!!) worth of beautiful quotes.  I wish I could memorize them all!!!

http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/tes/a7.html

Happy Thanksgiving!