S. Paul bids us, "Give thanks always for all things to God," "Always for all things." But, if there be a special time for thanks, and thanks too deep for words, it is after Holy Communion. 66 He Our Lord Jesus Christ, when He instituted this Sacrament, gave thanks." "He took bread and gave thanks." In the very midst of His Agony and Bloody Sweat, His bitter Cross and Passion, it was, that He did so. He gave thanks, that He could provide this rich Banquet for us at the cost of His most precious Blood. He "thirsted" that He might give us to drink. "hungered" to give us to eat. "The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." Can we withhold our thanks, after receiving and partaking of that which He has obtained for us at so great a price. He has come to us to be our Joy for ever. He has fed us with the Food, that is to "preserve our souls and bodies to everlasting life." He Himself is that Food." Christ is my Food." Surely if Grace has any special and critical moments in life, those moments are passing whilst Jesus abides in our hearts by His sacramental Presence. Office in Thanksgiving. N the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Antiphon.-Praise the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me praise His holy Name. O Benedicite, omnia Opera. ALL ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise Him and magnify Him for ever. O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. Ŏ ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord: praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. Ŏ ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. Ō ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. Ŏ ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, bless ye the Lord: praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. O ye Holy and Humble Men of heart, bless ye the Lord: praise Him, and magnify Him for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, &c. Psalm 150. Laudate Dominum. PRAISE God in His holiness: praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him in His noble acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him in the sound of the trumpet: praise Him upon the lute and harp. Praise Him in the cymbals and dances: praise Him upon the strings and pipe. Praise Him upon the well-tuned cymbals: praise Him upon the loud cymbals. Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord. UR Father, Which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy Will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen. O GOD, Who didst to the Three Children soothe the flames of fire, mercifully grant, that the flames of sin may not kindle upon us Thy servants. Amen. Office in Thanksgiving. RENDER Thee thanks, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, Who hast vouchsafed, not for any desert of mine, but only out of the condesion of Thy mercy, to feed me, a sinner, Thy unworthy servant, with the precious Body and Blood of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray Thee, that this Holy Communion may not bring guilt upon me to condemnation, but may intercede for me to my pardon and salvation. Let it be to me an Armour of faith, and a Shield of good purpose; a Riddance of all vices; an Extermination of evil desires and longings; an Increase of love and patience, of humility and obedience, and of all virtues; a firm Defence against the wiles of my enemies, visible or invisible; a perfect Quieting of all my impulses, fleshly and spiritual; a firm Adherence to Thee, the One True God; and a blessed Consummation of my end. And I pray Thee, that Thou wouldest vouchsafe to bring me, a sinner, to that ineffable Feast, where Thou, with Thy Son, and the Holy Spirit, art, to Thy holy ones, true Light, full Satiety, everlasting Joy, Pleasure consummated, and perfect Happiness : through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Or the following: |