[Greek] εὐχαριστία (eucharistia), [Latin] gratia

[Greek] εὐχαριστία (eucharistia), [Latin] gratia: thankfulness, gratitude, giving of thanks, words of gratefulness; Acts 24:3, 1Cor.14:16, 2Cor.4:15, 2Cor.9:11-12, Eph.5:4, Php.4:6, Col.2:7, Col.4:2, 1Thess.3:9, 1Tim.2:1, 1Tim.4:3-4, Rev.4:9, Rev.7:12

A monstrance is a receptable for the consecrated Host (Eucharist). The monstrance was first used in 13th century France and Germany when popular devotions to the Blessed Sacrament developed.

Background information:

Greek Hellenism: This term means thanksgiving and gratitude.

Greco-Roman culture: This term means to be thankfulness and gratitude.

1. When favor is given, an obligation of thanks is expected.
2. This practice of giving thanks is found both in the secular and religious sense.
3. Public secular thanksgiving is found in the bestowing of honors to public leaders and servants.
4. Private secular thanksgiving is found as a literary device in letters.
5. Public religious thanksgiving is found in the public worshipping of the emperor and the gods.
6. Thanksgiving is given in response to healings, sacrifices, and petitions.

Polybius’ Histories 16.25.2: “The Athenian people sent envoys to King Attalus, both to thank him for the past, and to urge him to come to Athens to consult with them of the dangers that face them.”

Demosthenes’ On the Crown 18.92: “The people erected an altar to Gratitude and the People of Athens, grateful for having rescued them from Phillip and restoring their fatherland.”

Polybius’ Histories 4.72.7: “After receiving the thanks of Aratus, Phillip dismissed the assembly, getting his army and marched toward Lasion.”

The people show an expression of thanks (eucharistia) for the emperor.

Old Testament: This term is related to the Hebrew todah.

1. This term means thanksgiving, thanks offering, praise, and gratitude.
2. A todah sacrifice would be offered by someone whose life has been delivered from great peril.
3. The redeemed person would show his gratitude to God by a todah sacrificial meal.
4. The lamb, bread and wine make up the elements of this sacred meal.
5. This Hebrew todah points to the Eucharist in the New Testament.

New Testament: This term means gratitude and thanksgiving. The related verb eucharisteo refers to Jesus’ offering up bread and wine. 

Scripture:

Acts 24:3: “We acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude.” (The Jewish authorities, presenting formal charges against Paul, seek to gain favor from the Roman procurator Felix. This statement is a simple form of secular gratitude from the the Jews to Felix.) 

2Cor.4:15: “Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.” (Thanksgiving is a natural response to the reception of God’s grace. But Paul also illustrates the paradox of the ministry. Along with joy and transformation, comes opposition, persecution, affliction, and martyrdom.)

Php.4:6: “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.”

1. We are called to trust in God’s providing for us.
2. Anxiety often stems from this lack of trust in God’s plan and care.
3. The Philippians, who lived in a Roman colony, was often faced with potential persecution and economic instability.
4. We are also called to make our requestions known to God by prayer and petitions, with thanksgiving.
5. Then the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

[Greek] εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō): 

Mt.15:36: [Feeding of the 4000]: Jesus took the seven loaves and fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to crowds.

Mt.26:27: [The Lord’s Supper]: Jesus took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, “Drink from it, all of you.”

1Cor.11:24-25: “Jesus took bread, and after He had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is My Body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same with the cup, Jesus said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my Blood. Do this, as often as you drink it in remembrance of Me.'”

1. “Do this in remembrance of Me”: This practice is to be done repeatedly
2. The Catholic Mass offers the Eucharist as the re-presentation of the once and only sacrifice at Calvary.
3. At the Mass the priest acts in the person of Christ.
4. At the Mass, the priest calls upon the Holy Spirit to change the offered bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. This process is called transubstantiation.
5. Whoever eats the Bread and drinks the Blood unworthily brings judgment upon themselves.
6. This is why only worthy Catholics are only allowed to partake of the Eucharist.

When was the term ‘Eucharist’ first used? The Didache, also called the ‘Teaching of the Twelve Apostles’, is claimed to be the first written document containing the term ‘Eucharist’. Although not considered canonical, this book is estimated to be have been written around 65-80 AD.

Monstrance: This term comes from the Latin monstrare, meaning to show. Essentially, monstrance means demonstration or proof. 

Nine Benefits of Eucharist Adoration:

“The grace of adoration of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament is given to everybody.” (St. Peter Julian Eymard)

“Our Lord hears our prayers anywhere, but He has revealed to His servants that those who visit Him in the Eucharist will obtain a more abundant measure of grace.” (St. Alphonsus Ligouri)

“A Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament is worth more than a thousand years of human glory.” (St. Padre Pio)

“This is not merely a passing devotional practice. It is founded on divinely revealed truths.” (Pope Pius XII)

“Adoration is to enter into profound heartfelt communion with the Lord, who makes Himself bodily present in the Eucharist!” (Pope Benedict XVI)

“Jesus Himself is calling you to spend one special specific hour with Him each week.” (St. John Paul II)

“The Eucharist bathes the tormented soul in light and love. Then the soul appreciates these words, ‘Come all you who are sick, I will restore your health.’” (St. Bernadette Soubirous)

“Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament has His hands full of graces and He is ready to bestow them on anyone who asks for them.” (St. Peter of Alcantara)

“Our Lord is hidden there in the Blessed Sacrament, waiting for us to come and visit Him, and make our requests to Him.” (St. John Vianney)

Conclusion:

Eucharist, Eucharistic, gratis, gratitude, demonstrate

Greek Hellenism: This is very plausible during the times when man gives thanks for the gods’ help. Expressing thankfulness also is found in an epistle format. 

Old Testament: the todah points to the Eucharist. The todah utilizes the lamb, bread and wine. The lamb is offered up. 

Eucharist:

1. Interestingly, the noun eucharistia references thanksgiving in a more general sense.
2. The verb eucharisteo references Jesus’ offering the bread and wine.
3. The formal term Eucharist (as we currently understand it) actually had not yet come into being until years later in the early Church.
4. The Eucharist (in its bread form) contains both the Body and Blood of Jesus.
5. The Eucharist (in its liquid form) also contains both the Body and Blood of Jesus.
6. Therefore, it is not necessary to partake of both forms. However, many people like to receive both forms.

 This Sunday we celebrate Corpus Christi

We all should be thankful in that Jesus would humble Himself in the Eucharist so that we can receive Him.