All Is A Gift
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way also He took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’”
I frequently think on the supper with Jesus and His disciples. He was giving His life for them, He was serving them by washing their feet (John 13), He was teaching them how to love one another, and by His grace allowing them to have communion with Him.
Christ’s body was broken for us. His blood was shed for us. Our very existence is a gift and not only that, but salvation through Christ is a gift freely offered. We have been given the gift of life, we have been given gifts or talents in life, and we have been offered the gift of salvation by God. As Christians, we have been given the gift of communion with Him. So then I contemplate this quote and what I can offer back to God who has given to me freely: “If we have a eucharistic spirit, we realize all is a gift to be offered back in thanksgiving to God the giver.”1
Do I consider my own life as a God-given gift to offer back to Him as He offered Himself for me?
Do I consider God’s love for me, an unworthy sinner, a compelling reason to love Him with my whole heart, soul and mind?
Do I consider Christ’s selflessness a reminder to love others?
Do I consider my own God-given talents as something He wants me to share with others?
Do I consider Christ’s servanthood something I should imitate towards others?
Do I consider God’s forgiveness of my sins as a call to forgive others?
Do I consider my prayer time as a chance to offer thanksgiving to God and to be thankful for others?
Christ spent His life teaching people, healing them, forgiving them, and serving them. His entire humble life was spent not for His own pleasure and comfort, but for our sakes and the revelation of God’s salvation plan. He gave His life as a gift to others. Can I do the same for Him?
Ware, K. (2023). Sacraments of healing. SVS Press.