We
are a people who think it is important to give thanks to the oh-so-generous God
who gives us life into eternity. We are a Eucharistic People.
Those
of us who recognise Jesus Christ as our mediator to the Origin of everything
that is, and to the Source of all life, are privileged to be associated with
him in giving thanks to God, from whom all good things come.
It
is especially on a Sunday that we join with Jesus to give thanks. Those of us
who are called to gather with him form a community – a community giving
thanks, a Eucharist community. (Eucharist means Thanksgiving).
While
it is only right that each individual person be grateful for the gift of
existence, because we live with others, because we are community people, it is
proper that as a community we also give thanks.
We
do this whenever we come together for our Sunday Liturgy. We do it best when we
celebrate the Eucharist properly, but even a lay led Liturgy is also a prayer
of Thanksgiving, together with Jesus, who is present in the gathered community.
“For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with
them” (Matthew 18:20).
We
can become more aware of the thanksgiving purpose of our Liturgy (and even of
the Eucharist) if we make explicit mention of things for which we are grateful
at the beginning of the prayer of Thanks and Praise.
It is
inappropriate to include reasons for thanksgiving into the Intercessory Prayers
– the Prayer of the Faithful. To do so is to confuse the rite (and the
people present at the Liturgy).
In the
absence of a priest, a community can’t celebrate the Mass: there is no
Eucharistic Prayer. Nevertheless, in the prayers provided for lay led Liturgy,
there is often a Prayer of Thanksgiving before the Lord’s Prayer (and
Communion).
To make
this Prayer of Thanksgiving (and even the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass) more
precise and relevant, particular reasons for thanksgiving could be mentioned in
introducing the prayer. It would be simple and easy to do. Thanksgiving
intentions probably fit in best at the end of the introductory dialogue just
before the beginning of the “Preface” or its equivalent prayer of
thanks and praise.
A sample
thanksgiving intention: We give
thanks,
that we
are still alive
and have
the benefit
of good health-care services.
Followers
of Jesus Christ, people who share his Spirit, attitudes and life, who identify
with his thinking and vision, who engage in his mission, are people who give
thanks. We are people of gratitude: gracious people.
Consistent
with our grateful attitude to God we are also people who are ever ready to
thank, praise and affirm others. With such recognition and appreciation, people
grow. According to our vision of redeemed humanity it is our hope that all
people be fully alive – in this present time, and in the on-going realm
of God.