Word to the Wise
Thursday, November 22, 2007 - Thanksgiving Day
[Sirach 50:22-24; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Luke 17:11-19]I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving Day always comes as a reminder to me of the tremendous debt of thanks I owe to God and so many people. To be sufficiently grateful for all the blessings I have received seems at times impossible! Each morning after awaking, I go for a long walk and pray the rosary for all the family and friends that I can think of. When I am aware of a particular intention one of these has, I mention it when his or her name comes up. This prayer is just one way I can be grateful for my family, friends, religious order and those to whom I minister. I will certainly be grateful this day for the "Beloved Congregation" who accept THE WORD TO THE WISE and share that word with others. I am aware that this reflection reaches far and wide. When you read this, I will have just returned from presenting a retreat to cloistered Dominican nuns on the island of Trinidad. I pray that your Thanksgiving celebration will be filled not only with good food, but with the gratitude for love and friendship that God's greatest blessing deserves. AMEN