This week our nation will sit down and give thanks. Most people will sit down to turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberries, and pumpkin, apple, or pecan pie. It is a beautiful celebration as a nation of giving thanks. It is beautiful to see families come together. Thanksgiving is my favorite national celebration. And I believe that as a nation, most would agree with this. What is not to like? Family, food, a day off of work and did I mention food?
Thanksgiving is meant to be a time that we, as a nation, give thanks. What are we thankful for? There is much, much for which to show gratitude. We have been given much. It is truly a gift. In order to be thankful, we need to think and reflect on what we have been given. We have the time given to us to give thanks because thanksgiving gives us time off of work. Every week we, as Church, celebrate Thanksgiving. It is not just a national holiday, it is a weekly time given to us to thank our Creator for all the blessings He bestows upon us. We have been given this time by God to be people who’s posture is one of thanks. Our celebration each Sunday is about giving thanks. The key to all of this is to remember what God has done for us. The liturgy, the Mass is about thanking God for all He has done throughout history. Remembering is what we do at the Mass. It is why we read from Sacred Scripture to remember God’s Word to us and to hear what He is speaking to us here and now. We are there to constantly remember God’s goodness to us, His care. God loves us so much that He looks out for us. To remember these things is to give thanks. I am thankful that we have this yearly celebration of Thanksgiving because it is what we are meant to do at every Mass and each and everyday of our lives. Enjoy the turkey and please take the time to give thanks for the blessing that we have received throughout our lives.
May God bless you and have a safe and holy turkey day. Mass will be at 9:00am at OLS on this day for those who would like to thank God for these blessings.
Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault