Daily Reflections

Thanksgiving Day (USA)

Scripture:

Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a
Luke 21:20-28

Reflection:

In preparing this reflection I spent time in prayer with the scriptures of the day, looked at the history surrounding Thanksgiving Day celebrations past and present, and reflected on all that has and is happening in our nation in these post-election times.  Wow!  I’m not sure where to begin.  One thing is for sure , we are a blessed people!

The scriptures speak of God’s goodness and mercy, peace, compassion, patience and understanding for all God’s people no matter the circumstances.  In Sirach we are reminded of God’s deep love for us even before we were born.  St Paul tells us once again of God’s faithfulness in spite of our unfaithfulness!  In the Gospel we hear the familiar story of the ten lepers who were made clean with only one who returned to give thanks, and he was a Samaritan! Jesus asked the challenging question, “were not all 10 made clean, why is there only one who came back to give thanks?”  How often do we forget to say thanks for the bounty we enjoy?!

We will gather this day with family and friends to share food and fellowship, hopefully giving a prayerful and humble thanks to our generous God as well.  This day is also a challenging and sad time for many people of other cultures, especially our Native American sisters and brothers.  To native Americans, thanksgiving is a day of mourning and protest since it commemorates the arrival of settlers in North America and the centuries of oppression and genocide that followed.  Our Native Americans remind us that giving thanks was a Native American tradition for generations before the European settlers arrived and long before President Roosevelt declared it a national holiday in 1942.  Today, many Native people celebrate this long tradition of gratitude while others observe a day of mourning.

In the days following the election of new leadership in our country, ongoing strife in in our cities and towns, wars in too many parts of the world, it is difficult at times to remember we are a blessed people.  At the same time it is important for all believers to remember to put our faith and trust in a loving and benevolent Creator God!  We have been created in God’s image and that image is good.  May this day of thanks be celebrated each day of our lives.  Let us strive to see the good in all people especially those who don’t share our beliefs, thoughts or life decision.  May we continue to give praise and thanks for all the blessings we have been given.

Be Blessed, Be Thankful. Amen.

Theresa Secord is a retired Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.