These past few months I’ve been listening to Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Catechism in a Year podcast. It follows the same pattern of his Bible in a Year— relatively manageable readings from the catechism, context, and commentary from Fr. Schmitz, all accomplished in 15 to 20-minute segments. The other morning I listened to the section on the Eucharist and was reminded of a truth that I’ve long known, but one that bears repeated.

Father reminded us that Eucharist is both a noun and a verb. The consecrated bread and wine, the body and blood of Christ is Eucharist, the real presence of Jesus Christ. To that noun Eucharist we genuflect when we come into a church, to the noun Eucharist we pray in adoration.

But, the Eucharist is also a verb—the thanksgiving we offer through Christ, in the Holy Spirit, to the Father. As we approach our national Thanksgiving Day, let’s reflect on our life as a Eucharistic community, always giving thanks to God for his continued blessings.