November: Thanksgiving and Eucharistia

The word Eucharist comes from the Greek word eucharistia, which means thanksgiving. As we come into the month of November, it is incredibly fitting that we should celebrate both Thanksgiving and eucharistia. We are now in a season where we ponder what we are most thankful for; fall, family, and faith are noble considerations, although we must not overlook other things as well. Thanksgiving might be limited to a specified time of the year but eucharistia is a season that is ongoing since its inception. Jesus’ declaration at the last supper remains eternal, “Take and eat; this my body’, with oft added “which is given for you” (1 Cor. 11:24) 

Matthew 26:26-28

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

1 Corinthians 11:23b-26

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ gives us the greatest cause for thanksgiving that we could ever have. When we partake of the Eucharist it is deeply rooted not only in unbridled gratitude but provokes within us a greater sense of community. Saint Francis of Assisi saw how crucial community was for the Christian believer - that community was perfectly realized in the Eucharist. Through the Eucharist we find our very reason to remain thankful and gracious for the hope that we have. How wonderful that there is a deeply intimate connection between thanksgiving and community! Perhaps it is obvious that we should be thankful for those that surround us during this season, but the nature of Christs’ loving offering should be equally recognized. When we arrive at the table of our Lord, not only are we joined by all those physically present, but all brothers and sisters around the world partaking of the Eucharist are there also. 

What we come to find is that it is emblematic of our faith that we ponder the true nature of Christ’s brokenness on a Roman cross during a time such as this. If one were to look at the front of nearly any of our denomination’s churches, they would see a table situated near the pulpit. Engraved within the wood on the front of that table is the phrase, “In Remembrance of Me”. Not only do those words represent sacrifice at the highest level, but they also reflect how eucharistia should never depart from our hearts. We worship and unite through the shared profession that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. As we gather around the tables of community and share a meal with those, we hold most dear; let us not forget our own glorious adoption into the family of God. For it is as at these tables of thanksgiving that all differences and boundaries are laid aside because the Lamb of Judah binds us all together, even in our shared brokenness. 

Psalm 107:1

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Peace to you, 

Rev. Taylor Kibler