Meditation on God’s Gifts

Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of the Altar

Most High God, I owe You great thanks that in the sacred mystery of the Supper, You feed me with the body and blood of Your Son. What in heaven or on earth is more precious and excellent than this divine body, personally united with Your Son? Where is there a more certain testimony and pledge of Your grace than in the precious blood of Your Son, poured out for my sins on the altar of the cross? This, the price of my redemption, You give to me as the firmest testimony of Your grace toward me. As often as I have, through sin, fallen from the baptismal covenant, so often does a return to it stand open to me through true repentance and the salutary use of this Supper. It is a Sacrament of the New Testament. It blesses me again and again with new gifts of grace. Life itself dwells in this body, and this life restores me to eternal life and makes me alive. Through the shedding of this blood, satisfaction for sins was obtained. Thus, drinking it ratifies the remission of my sins.

Christ speaks, and the truth speaks; “Whoever feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:54) “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” (John 6:51). The eating that Christ commends is that of faith. True faith is absolutely necessary when approaching the Supper for sacramental eating so that which was instituted for life is received by us for life. Therefore, I approach this heavenly Meal with true faith, firmly convinced that the body I eat is the one given into death for me, that the blood I drink is the blood shed for my sins.

From now on, I cannot doubt the forgiveness of sins because it is affirmed by my partaking of the price that was offered for my sins, the very blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 1:5; 5:9). From now on, I cannot doubt the indwelling of Christ because it is sealed for me in the imparting of His body and blood. From now on, I cannot doubt the assistance of the Holy Spirit because my weakness is strengthened by such support. I do not fear the plots of Satan because this angelic food strengthens me to do battle. I do not fear the lures of the flesh because this life-giving and spiritual food strengthens me by the power of the Spirit. I eat and drink this food so Christ may dwell in me and I in Christ. The Good Shepherd will not allow the sheep, fed by His body and blood, to be devoured by the infernal wolf. He will not allow the strength of the Spirit to be overcome by the weakness of the flesh. Praise, honor, and thanksgiving to You, O kindest Savior, forever. Amen.

Johann Gerhard