Most of us have probably heard by now that the direct translation of the word eucharist is “thanksgiving”. What better time to examine the significance of this word from a contemplative perspective.  Franciscan contemplative Richard Rohr tells us that, “Eucharist was supposed to tell Christians who we are in a positive and inclusionary way.” Augustine put it even more succinctly: “We become what we receive.” We reverence the Eucharist as a manifestation of the Divine, and at the same time, as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, we are a manifestation of the Divine! In the Eucharistic meal, we give thanks for the Paschal Mystery – suffering, dying, and rising – lived out in the life of Jesus. Contemplative practice gives us the grace to recognize and give thanks for the same Paschal Mystery lived out in each one of us. We often look at the Thanksgiving holiday as a time to be thankful for external blessings, but perhaps not often enough as a time to be thankful for ourselves, our very being, and the great Mystery unfolding in us, wounds, warts, triumphs, glories, and all! Take time to give thanks for the Eucharistic Presence that each of us is – then maybe we can be taken seriously in suggesting the same about the bread and the wine.