Word to the Wise
Thursday, November 26, 2009 - Thanksgiving Day, U.S.A.
[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.... [1 Corinthians]
The national celebration of a day of Thanksgiving is both celebration and challenge! As we eat a lot, we are challenged to feed those who have no food on this day - even in our own country! As we give thanks for so many blessings, we are challenged to work to bring those blessings to those who lack them. In short, it is not a feast of complacency but of hope and resolution. As a matter of faith we give thanks to God for our blessings, as the Samaritan leper does (where are the other nine?). As a matter of that same faith, we recall Jesus' words: "As often as you did it for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it for me..." as we contemplate the truly daunting task of helping others to have food, clothing, companionship in illness or imprisonment. It helps if we remember that we can do all these things locally! In short, we can make Thanksgiving Day resolutions that might do more than those New Year's resolutions that we ruefully recall 364 days later. For myself, I do wish to express my profound gratitude to God and to you, my brothers and sisters around the world, who listen to this small preaching voice, for your patient and open hearts and minds. I am grateful for good health and most especially for dear friends and family! May God bless you all abundantly and strengthen you in your resolutions this Thanksgiving! AMEN
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