A little Thanksgiving…every week of the year

One of the most beautiful traditions in our country is the celebration of Thanksgiving Day. It began as gratefulness for the Fall harvest, for new Pilgrim settlement in a land of abundant natural resources, and for freedom to practice one’s faith. Today we more likely gather together with family on Thanksgiving Day around a nice meal to give thanks for the particular blessings of the past year – a new job, a new baby, good health and well-being for our loved ones, the peaceful death of a grandparent. As Christians, our thanks are directed to a Loving Father who “from our mother’s arms has blessed us on our way”. But one of the ways the Church can lead the rest of the world is in modelling how to give thanks every week of the year! On Sunday, when we gather for Eucharist (“thanksgiving”), we always share a meal and give thanks. We express thanks for hearing the Word of God (“Thanks be to God.”) and for the offerings of bread and wine (“Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. – It is right and just.”) And, most importantly, we give thanks for the gift of His Son, Jesus: “We offer you in thanksgiving, this holy and living sacrifice.” Our Sunday prayer together is always a little Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving! - - - Fr. Jim