June 17 — On the blessed Eucharist as it is a Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

Consider, first, that we are also indispensably obliged to return due thanks to God for all his bounties, favors, and mercies to us; and that, as these are boundless and infinite, he has a right to call for a return of all the gratitude and love we are capable of; and that nothing less than an infinite thanksgiving can be equivalent to the debt we owe him. But O, how little is all that our store can afford towards discharging so immense a debt! If we should even offer him our whole being, and this could be a return for the great benefit of our creation, by which he has given us this being, what should we have left to give him? or what return should we be able to make him for our redemption, for our preservation, for our vocation, and for so many others his benefits; and above all, for that eternal free love of his for us, which is the source of all these benefits? See, then, how good our God has been, in furnishing us, by the means of the eucharistic sacrifice, with a standing fund to enable us to discharge this infinite debt, and to render him a thanksgiving worthy of him.

Consider, secondly, that, as all the thanks-offcrings of the law of nature, and of the law of Moses, fell infinitely short of answering, in a proper and sufficient manner, the obligation incumbent on mankind, of returning due thanks to God; the Son of God himself became man, to make himself our Priest and Victim, and, in that quality, to offer up in our behalf a worthy sacrifice of thanksgiving, no less infinite, by reason of the dignity of his person, than those favors and mercies were, for which he makes this return of thanks. This sacrifice of thanksgiving he offered once upon the cross, and now offers daily in the Eucharist, upon a million of altars, throughout the world; and, in this offering, he expects that his whole family of heaven and earth should join with him, that with him, and through him, they may make a daily return of worthy thanks for all Gods blessings, bestowed upon both him and them. See, my soul, thou be never wanting in this duty.

Consider, thirdly, what this thanksgiving is, that we are to offer up daily to God, in the sacrifice of the blessed Eucharist — a sacrifice which takes its very name from thanksgiving. First, we are to return thanks to God for his own great glory, manifested in all his works. Secondly, we are to thank him, in particular, for the great work of our redemption. Thirdly, we are to offer up to him this sacrifice, in thanksgiving for the incarnation and birth of his Son, and for all the blessings bestowed upon him, acoo'ding to his human nature; for his doctrine and miracles, for his passion and death, for his resurrection and ascension, and for all that power which is given him in heaven and earth. Fourthly, we are likewise to offer up this sacrifice, in thanksgiving for ourselves, and for the whole church, triumphant, militant and patient; and for all that mercy, grace, and salvation, which has, at any time, been derived upon any man from the sovereign Source of all good, through Jesus Christ. See, Christians, how much we all, in general, have to thank God for, besides the special favours, for which each one in particular stands indebted to the divine bounty. But infinite thanks be to his infinite goodness, who has provided for us this sacrifice of infinite value, in which we may daily present ourselves before him, in the company of Jesus Christ his Son, and make him a suitable and acceptable offering, through him, for all his favours.

Conclude to unite, daily, thy intentions with those with which Jesus Christ daily offers this sacrifice upon all the altars throughout his church. The thanksgiving offered by him, and nothing less, will be equal to thy debt.