RBWords

    In many homes around the United States families and friends gather to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with food, beverage, games, storytelling and naps as well!  One feature that I have experienced in my own family as well as in others has been the practice of asking each person at the table to say what they are most "thankful" for on this occasion.  The responses are usually quite varied.  The hungry little ones might mention the food they're about to eat!  Older ones may mention good health, family, a relative in the service overseas, an engagement to marry, a job - the list could go on and on.  The Samaritan leper in the gospel for today was grateful for his cleansing and showed it as a matter of faith!

     It is possible to be grateful for something without it being a matter of faith, but on Thanksgiving Day, I would hope that those of us who have religious faith could follow the example of the Samaritan leper and St. Paul (in the words highlighted above from the second scripture) and be grateful not simply FOR something or someone but TO GOD for that particular blessing!  Our secular culture relentlessly tries to divorce major celebrations from their original roots in faith!  

     For myself, I am always particularly grateful to God for my family and the friends in my life.  I am grateful to God that I am able to send this reflection each morning to my Beloved Congregation!  I am grateful to God that my health allows me to do the itinerant ministry of preaching.  I am grateful to God for whatever blessings have come to all of you during this past year.  I remember you all everyday in my prayers.  You are my "partners in preaching!"  I am grateful to God for you!  AMEN