Nothing But Grace and Gratitude

Sharing Options

Here is bread and wine. Here is the grace of God. Come as supplicants; come as those who know that they need nothing but the sheer, unadulterated grace of God.

Grace, if it to remain grace, must be received as gift. We can be worthy of a gift after the fact, but if we try to be worthy of it beforehand, we are corrupting and insulting the very concept of gift.

What we bring to a gift beforehand is simply and solely need. What we bring to a gift before it is given is the need to have it given. That is all that we contribute.

 

What we do with a gift afterward is simply show our gratitude, our thanksgiving. Gratitude does not purchase a gift, but gratitude is worthy of the gift. Gratitude is appropriate to the gift.

Now it is fitting that this Table is a Eucharistic table, that is, a Table of thanksgiving. There is a reciprocal motion here. God gives His grace to us, and we render our gratitude to God. Remember that in this moment, you give as well as receive. But what you give does not take away from the graciousness of the gift—gratitude can never do that.

God offers you the bread of life, and what you return is gratitude for that bread. God gives you the wine of the new covenant, and you return gratitude for it. So then, come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments