Spiritual gratitude
Hello, church family!
Welcome to our new blog space! My hope is to use this platform to share thoughts, reflections, and updates as time allows. I’m excited to begin this journey with you and to stay connected through this medium.
As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, I want to reflect on the beautiful connection between gratitude and the Lord’s Supper. One of the things I love most about being United Methodist is how thanksgiving is not just a once-a-year celebration—it’s woven into the rhythm of our spiritual lives. Through Holy Communion, we practice thanksgiving every month—and some congregations even do so every week!
The Lord’s Supper is our sacred moment to come together and give thanks to God for His ultimate gift: His Son, Jesus Christ, who gave His life so that we might experience life abundantly in Him. This act of remembrance and thanksgiving draws us closer to God and to one another as a church family.
Did you know there’s another name for communion? Though not as commonly used today, the term Eucharist literally means Thanksgiving. Every time we partake in communion, we proclaim our gratitude through the Great Thanksgiving, a central prayer in our liturgy. Thanksgiving is not only a holiday or a feeling; it’s at the very heart of the Gospel.
When we gather at the table, we are reminded that no matter how heavy our burdens, how far we may feel from God, or how many times we’ve stumbled, we are welcomed. In this sacred space, we lay it all aside, break bread together, and give thanks for God’s grace and for one another.
Why do we do this every month? Because thanksgiving is rooted in remembrance. Each time we break bread, we repeat Jesus’ words: “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.’” (1 Corinthians 11:24).
This teaches us an essential truth: gratitude begins with remembering. Do you take time to remember all that God has done for you? Even in difficult times, the simple act of breathing is a reminder that we have life and hope. With life comes the possibility of new beginnings. So don’t give up—look up! Give thanks to the Lord for His steadfast love and endless mercy.
As Psalm 103 reminds us:
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
This Thanksgiving, let’s carry the spirit of gratitude beyond the table and into every part of our lives. Let’s celebrate the God who never forgets us and who calls us to a life of abundant grace.
Blessings,
Pastor Juan
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