Word to the Wise
Thursday, November 27, 2008 - 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......
In many households today, families and friends will gather to enjoy the traditional turkey/ham dinner with all the trimmings. On many occasions in my own family, before we ask God's blessing on the food, we go around the room and allow each person to express thanks for a particular reason. This is an emotional thing for me because I have so much to be thankful for. But, if I have to mention one reason among the many, I would have to give pride of place to FRIENDSHIP. (That's saying a lot because I place my FAMILY very highly as well.) I am so grateful to God for the friends I have. I think of the young couple who embraced me with love at a particularly difficult moment in my life. I think of the couples who have known me for many years and who welcome me like family in their homes. I think of the student friend who is now out in the world whose conversation over tea stays with me for months. I think of the student who came to visit me during his Spring Break instead of heading for more exciting and exotic possibilities! I think of the families here in KY who have been so good to me. I think of those brothers in my Dominican province who have sustained me by their affection and loyalty. St. Thomas Aquinas tells us that the true model of love is that of friendship because a friend wants only the good for another friend! I am so grateful for the good things that come to my friends. Every morning I try to remember as many of them as possible by name in my prayers. St. Paul's words quoted above from the second scripture express it better than I can. I would simply be unable to say it out loud. So I take this written way out and express to God and to all with whom God has blessed me in friendship: THANK YOU! AMEN!
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