Word to the Wise
Thursday, November 25, 2010 - 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 Cor.]
Although food is certainly a major focus for the American Thanksgiving Day celebration, that alone does not explain why the day before the celebration is the busiest travel day of the year in our country. The only explanation that makes sense is "relationships." People want to be with family and friends on this day more than any other day of the year! Some family members will bring the same particular dish each year because it is a favorite of the group. There are other traditions that I have experienced from being not only with family or religious community or friends on this day. One of them in particular is the ritual of holding hands around the table and each person expresses something/someone that they are most grateful for this particular year. It could be an engagement to marry, or recovery from an illness, a successful job interview - but the point of the ritual is the sharing of life and love that we can be the most grateful for. It is important to remember that, as St. Paul says above, we are giving thanks to God on one another's account!
If the Samaritan leper in today's gospel scripture were present, perhaps he would give thanks for the cure he received at Jesus' word, but even more so for being restored to family and friends. His illness would have isolated him! In being thankful to God around a bountiful table, perhaps we could remember those whose situation may isolate them from that table! It could be a family feud, an illness, great distance, etc.. Thanksgiving is about being grateful for love. Only love could make people go through all the effort to travel and cook. I, for one, am going to be especially grateful for friends, family and religious community. I will include all my Beloved Congregation around the world in my prayer of thanksgiving! Those of us gathering for the feast can enjoy the food, but we cannot "hug" it! Thanksgiving is about the embrace of God's love and our love for one another. AMEN
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