Devotion for today: Thanks be to God

Here we are at the last installment of our study of the Mass, which we began a long time ago! I hope you have found your participation in the Mass to now be more active and informed. I know I have! Thank you for going on this journey with me. Today we examine the last statement we make before leaving the Church. It is rich in Biblical tradition and steeped in meaning. We thank God for a beautiful opportunity to share in the Paschal Sacrifice; we thank God to be more prepared to go into the world as His disciples; we thank God He loves us and has given us such a gift. When we say, “Thanks be to God,” let’s say it with all our hearts!

2 Corinthians 9:15: Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 2:14: But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

Fr. Dominic Grassi and Joe Paprocki tell us: … when we are sent forth … our only response must be a resounding “Thanks be to God.” When we say these words, we are doing more than thanking God for what we have experienced in the past hour or so. Likewise, we are not thanking God that Mass is over, as relieved parents of a two-year-old who just made it through the liturgy with Cheerios, picture books, and a minimum of trips to the bathroom might be inclined to do. When we say, “Thanks be to God,” we are thanking God for the faith that brought us to the Mass and for all those with whom we have shared that faith: from the saints to our deceased loved ones, all of whom we have remembered in the Mass. For two thousand years, people of faith have gathered to celebrate the Eucharist. We continue to do so today, united with them all.

 Most important, when we say, “Thanks be to God,” we are showing gratitude for the trust that God places in us to be Christ's loving presence in the world. We call ourselves Christians. Christ lives and works in and through us, the people of God. We are happy to be called to the Lord's Supper…. When we say, “Thanks be to God,” we are thanking God profoundly and joyfully that the Mass is over and that we can leave church with renewed power to make God's love and peace real in our individual circles of influence. It's as if we are runners at the starting line after months of training, waiting for the race to finally begin. Everything has led up to this moment. Now we will give it our best effort. We'll see what we can do, and we'll be ready for whatever comes our way. God has freed us from serving other “masters” that we have allowed into our lives. We are free to do what we were truly created to do: love and serve the Lord, our God. (Living the Mass: How One Hour a Week Can Change Your Life, Loyola Press)

The Prayer: Thank You God

For all You have given,
Thank You God.
For all You have withheld,
Thank You God.
For all You have withdrawn,
Thank You God.
For all You have permitted,
Thank You God.
For all You have prevented,
Thank You God.
For all You have forgiven me,
Thank You God.
For all You have prepared for me,
Thank You God.
For the death You have chosen for me,
Thank you God.
For the place you are keeping for me in heaven,
Thank You God.
For having created me to love You for eternity,
Thank You God.

 (http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=738)