Four Lines Direct Us

In yesterday’s reflection, we discussed the connection between thanksgiving, joy, and grace. In the Divine Liturgy in the Orthodox Church, grace and thanksgiving are linked during a part of the service called the “Anaphora.” The “Anaphora” is the part of the service where the ordinary gifts of bread and wine are consecrated into the extraordinary Gifts of the Body and Blood of Christ.  Each line below is offered by the priest.

Let us stand well. Let us stand in awe. Let us be attentive, that we may present the holy offering in peace.

This line calls us to attention.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.

This blessing imparts grace, love, and fellowship/unity to the faithful.

Let us lift up our hearts.

While the word “joy” is not said explicitly, it is implied. For how else do we lift up our hearts to God? The response of the people is an emphatic “We lift them up to the Lord”, a joy-filled response that our hope is in the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord.

Having lifted up our hearts with joy, we are reminded to also lift them up in thanksgiving.

The message here is that we are to stand well before God, with awe, with respect and with reverence. In doing so, we shall receive grace, love and communion with the Holy Trinity. And our reaction to this should be lifting up our hearts with joy and offering thanks to the Lord.

Again, the message is that all three words—joy, grace, and thanksgiving—are intertwined. The presence of each bolsters the presence of the others. In seeking to give thanks to the Lord with our whole heart, we must give thoughts to joy and grace as well. These four lines to not only direct our worship. They should direct our lives!

Lord, bring my heart to attention and awe before You. Pour out Your grace upon me. Inspire me to lift up my heart to You, and to do so in thanksgiving. May I always seek joy and express thanksgiving for the grace that You so freely offer. Amen.

Be attentive. Accept a measure of God’s grace. Lift up your heart. Be thankful.