I sometimes find that Praising God is associated more with the other Christian Churches than with our own. But I would like to discover how this is witnessed within our own Church. It is St. Paul in Thessalonians who said that we should give thanks in all things. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." [1 Th 5:18].Many of our own Saints expressed this in their lives. St. Faustina of the Divine Mercy learned this way of life, to give thanks to God in the midst of all the sufferings and trials she suffered as she recognised that there was a purpose in them all.
She wrote in her Diary at 343.. Jesus, I thank you for little daily crosses, for opposition to my endeavors, for the hardships of communal life, for the misinterpretation of my intentions, for humiliations at the hands of others, for the harsh way in which we are treated, for false suspicions, for poor health and loss of strength, for self-denial, for dying to myself, for lack of recognition in everything, for the upsetting of all my plans....
I thank you, Jesus, who first drank the cup of bitterness before You gave it to me, in a much milder form.... I want to drink the cup to its last drop, and not seek to know the reason why.... In You, O Lord, is all good, all is a gift of Your paternal Heart. I do not prefer consolations over bitterness or bitterness over consolations, but thank You, O Jesus, for everything!
I thank you, Jesus, who first drank the cup of bitterness before You gave it to me, in a much milder form.... I want to drink the cup to its last drop, and not seek to know the reason why.... In You, O Lord, is all good, all is a gift of Your paternal Heart. I do not prefer consolations over bitterness or bitterness over consolations, but thank You, O Jesus, for everything!
Venerable Fr. Solanus Casey (an American Capuchin) was known for telling people to always give thanks first in prayer before they ask for something. Many miracles were attributed to him during his life and after his death. His favourite prayer was 'Blessed be God in all his designs'. Even in his sufferings he would say 'thanks be to God'. He also said 'Worry is a weakness from which very few of us are entirely free. We must be on guard against this most insidious enemy of our peace of soul. Instead, let us foster confidence in God, and thank Him ahead of time for whatever He chooses to send us.'
You may say it is well for them, they were Saints, yes but they were like us in their humanity and they suffered alot and maybe more than any of us. It was during these moments of suffering they were sanctified. And they could see with the eyes of faith that a loving God was always there for them and they trusted Him. It is an attitude of trust that develops from giving thanks because we see God as our maker, the all powerful and magnificent God who created all Heaven and Earth.
Psalm 145
I will praise your name for ever,
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
Let them make known your might
to the children of Adam,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
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The Eucharist is the greatest gift God
has given us, which is
Jesus truly present with us until the end of time.
has given us, which is
Jesus truly present with us until the end of time.
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1328 The inexhaustible richness of this sacrament is expressed in the different names we give it. Each name evokes certain aspects of it. It is called: Eucharist, because it is an action of thanksgiving to God. The Greek words eucharistein[139] and eulogein[140] recall the Jewish blessings that proclaim - especially during a meal - God's works: creation, redemption, and sanctification.
From the Saints...
"There is no prayer more agreeable to God, or more profitable to the soul, than that which is made during the thanksgiving after Communion. It is the opinion of many writers (Suarez, Cajetan, Valentia, De Lugo, and others), that the Holy Communion, so long as the sacramental species lasts, constantly produces greater and greater graces in the soul, provided the soul is then constant in disposing itself by new acts of virtue.
St. Magdalena de Pazzi
"The minutes that follow Communion are the most precious we have in our lives."
St. Louis de Montfort,
"I would not give up this hour of Thanksgiving even for an hour of Paradise."
"If we love Christ, who offers Himself for us, we will feel compelled to find a few minutes after Mass for an intimate personal thanksgiving, which will prolong in the silence of our hearts that other thanksgiving which is the Eucharist." In his short homily In Love with the Church, St. Josemaría says, "We give thanks to God our Lord for the wonderful way He has given Himself up for us. Imagine, the Word made flesh has come to us as our food! ...Inside us, inside our littleness, lies the Creator of heaven and earth!"
St. Padre Pio
