Be, receive, give thanks
“The other day, when out for a little walk, I sat down and the words came back to me: be, receive, give thanks. I sat down and looked out at the sea. All brain noise stopped as I thought ‘be, receive, give thanks.’ I seemed to exhale. I relaxed. I let go of all the worry.” Hannah Masserella.
Jayne Robertson describes the key meditation words: Be, being right where we are, accepting our lives. Receive, whatever is arising without trying to alter it. The next breath, the thought that popped into my head, the touch of air on my skin and the sounds in my environment.
Give thanks for the abundance in our lives. Robertson put up a whiteboard in the studio with the heading “Today, What Are You Grateful For?” With gratitude our brain helps to re-wire negativity and set positive intentions.
A student describes the meditation process simply: “When we allow ourselves to simply be, we are able to receive what we need. And when we receive what supports us, we are filled with gratitude.
The challenge in life is to be thankful at all times, to smile when our teeth are aching. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2–3, NIV).
In “How to Be Thankful in All Things” the late Billy Graham talks about the apostle Paul in prison. “The next footsteps in the corridor… might be those of the guards taking him away to his execution… Not an hour passed when he was free from the constant irritation of the chains and the pain of the iron manacles cutting into his wrists and legs.”
Graham shares another example: “Some years ago I visited a man who was wealthy and successful… But as we talked, he broke down in tears, confessing that he was miserable inside.”
A few hours later he visited another man a short distance away. His cottage was humble, and he had almost nothing… yet his face was radiant as he told me about the work he was doing for Christ.
Graham lists four things to be grateful for: Thank God for the People in Your Life. Thank God in the Midst of Trials and Even Persecution. Thank God Especially for His Salvation in Jesus Christ - who died on the cross and rose again so that we can know Him personally and spend eternity with Him in heaven.
And fourth, Thank God for His Continued Presence and Power in Your Life. When we come to Christ, it is not the end but the beginning of a whole new life!
Be, receive, give thanks. The Latin word for Eucharist, eucharistia, means thanksgiving.
In “WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FIRST 60 SECONDS AFTER YOU RECEIVE COMMUNION” Jerry Haydel describes what the Catholic Church teaches:
The second you receive, Christ is fully present. Scripture confirms: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever” (John 6:51).
Your mind is touched by His truth. Your heart is drawn to love. Your soul is strengthened against sin.
It is a spiritual infusion, unseen but powerful. Think of it like water entering dry soil, life begins quietly, but profoundly.
You are mystically joined to: Christ Himself, [To]The communion of saints.
Temptation loses strength (Ephesians 6:10–17). Faith grows quietly. Hope stabilizes your heart.
Finally, the Eucharist sends you forth: “Go in peace.” To forgive. To love. To witness.
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