# Thanksgiving Reflections: The Eucharist, Prayer, and the Rosary
*2019-10-27*

> Bill Young links the Thanksgiving feast to the spiritual nourishment of the Eucharist, reflects on Daniel 6:19, and leads listeners through a prayer, the Apostles’ Creed, the Our Father, and the Rosary mysteries.

## Thanksgiving and the Eucharist

Good afternoon, brothers and sisters in Christ. Happy Thanksgiving to all members of the Legion of Mary and to everyone who shares in Christ’s love. Today we conclude our little book *One Bread, One Body* on the theme of Thanksgiving. One of the readings for today is Daniel 6:19, where the king’s decree forbids eating. In the biblical story, the lions could not harm Daniel because God protected him. Spiritually, many people suffer from an “eating disorder” of the soul: they fill themselves with worldly things and forget that their souls are starving for true nourishment. The remedy God gives us is the Eucharist—food from heaven. The word *Eucharist* itself means “thanksgiving.” In the Mass we give thanks to God and receive the Body of Christ, the ultimate Thanksgiving meal.

## A Thanksgiving Prayer

Let us pray together:

Lord, I give thanks to you with all my heart. Help me to receive you frequently at Mass, that I may stand firm in faith and hold my head high, for deliverance is near. Praise be to you, who healed Georgina of cancer; may she continue to give thanks each day. Amen.

## The Apostles’ Creed and Our Father

We recite the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell, rose again on the third day, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, from whence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

## The Rosary and the Luminous Mysteries

We now pray the Rosary, beginning with the three Hail Marys for love, hope, and peace. We remember those who lack a Thanksgiving meal, those who are homeless, lonely, or suffering. Each Hail Mary is offered for the needs of the poor, the sick, and the dying.

**First Luminous Mystery – The Baptism of Jesus**
After His baptism, the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father’s voice declared, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

**Second Luminous Mystery – The Wedding at Cana**
Mary says to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” Jesus turns water into wine, showing His divine power.

**Third Luminous Mystery – The Proclamation of the Kingdom**
Jesus sends the disciples out: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand; heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.”

**Fourth Luminous Mystery – The Transfiguration**
On the mountain, Jesus’ face shines like the sun, and a voice from the cloud says, “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.”

**Fifth Luminous Mystery – The Institution of the Eucharist**
At the Last Supper, Jesus takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and says, “This is my Body.” He then takes the cup, says, “This is the new covenant in my blood.”

After each mystery we pray the Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a short concluding prayer, asking the Blessed Virgin to intercede for sinners now and at the hour of their death.

## Closing Blessing

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Lord Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead our souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Your mercy.

We conclude with the Hail Holy Queen and a brief prayer to the Blessed Virgin, asking that we may be made worthy of Christ’s promises.

Thank you for listening, wherever you are in the world. May you be grateful for the many blessings the Lord has given you—family, friends, and even the pets that bring us love. Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day, and remember those who cannot share a feast.

May God bless you.

*True Thanksgiving is found not in the abundance of food, but in the Eucharist, the Bread of Life, which nourishes our souls.*