1. The word Eucharist, though not met with in the Vulgate, is the favorite name in ecclesiastical literature for the most august of the Sacraments.

 

This sweet word, of Greek parentage, has a twofold meaning, and signifies both thanksgiving and good favor, or, as some again render it, good gifts. 

 

Who can count the pulsations of love that have thrilled devout souls in all times past and present at the sweet sound of that name, Holy Eucharist! It is a name which tells of much more than it expresses, and therefore the saints have multiplied names for the Holy Eucharist, in order to give utterance to its sublime mysteries.

 

2. The most Holy Eucharist is a good gift, nay, it is the best of God’s gifts to us. Every good that we possess, natural or supernatural, is His gift; but, in the Holy Eucharist, He bestows on us u all good" (Ex 33:19)

 

Jesus Christ Himself, and, with Him, every other good (Eom 8:32). even the very Author of all good and grace. Here certainly there lies a deep mystery of Faith, and a mystery of Love, perhaps deeper still: "God is charity: and he that abideth in charity abideth in God and God in him" (1 Jn 4:16).

 

We, the recipients of this gift, become thus rich enough to offer to God a gift worthy of Himself. Priests ordained to offer gifts to God (Heb 5:1), offer up Jesus Christ in this Sacrament; the faithful, in union with the priests, make in their measure, the same offering, and the Heavenly Father finds infinite complacency in accepting his own gift to men as man’s gift to Himself. The good gift given to us is the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and the good gift that we offer to God is the Eucharistic sacrifice.

 

Oh! who will teach us how to comprehend the excellence of this gift? "If thou didst know the gift of God..." (John 4:10)

 

3. Great gifts always prove a grief and a burthen to noble souls when they cannot make a worthy return and thanksgiving to the generous giver.

 

Not so with the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. This inestimable gift which Jesus Christ makes to men of His body and blood is a perfect gift, being both gift and thanksgiving in one. Accordingly, it is called the Eucharist, a word signifying, among its other meanings, thanksgiving.

 

Well, then, may the priest burst forth joyfully every day in the Mass into those words: "more pleasing to the Lord our God."  For by one and the same act he receives God’s gift and renders Him due thanks. No sooner therefore has he consumed the Sacred Host at the Altar than he rejoices at the thought of rendering a tribute of condign thanksgiving, and, taking up the chalice, says: "What shall I render unto the Lord in return for all that He has given met I will take the chalice of. salvation and call upon the name of the Lord"

 

We have all received untold blessings from God, and we cannot thank our good God better than by partaking of the Holy Eucharist devoutly and frequently. Jesus Christ Himself returned thanks at the institution of this sacrament of His love: " And taking the bread He gave thanks and broke, and gave to them saying: This is my body which is delivered up for you." And taking the chalice, He gave thanks and gave to them saying; Drink ye all of this"

 

He returned thanks to the Father for the redemption of the world, purchased at the full cost of his blood, and in like manner ought we to make use of the Eucharistic sacrifice and sacrament to render Him thanks for aggregating us to the blessed number of his redeemed, and for all the other countless blessings which accompany Redemption.