Thanksgiving

On November 23rd throughout America, families will gather around tables to thank God and express their love and gratitude to one another.

I think that Thanksgiving Day should be a holy day in the Church. In many places, church attendance is better on the fourth Thursday of November (Thanksgiving Day) than on the first of November (All Saints Day--a holy day of obligation). And it makes sense. God is the Creator of all and the Author of life. He is the source of all that is good-whether He is acknowledged to be so or not. Giving thanks to God is really the only response we can have toward a God who graces us so much.

On Thanksgiving Day, an entire nation, in the beauty of all of it's rich diversity and pluralism, pauses as one-to love and to give thanks for all of our blessings and our bounty. We gather to express our gratitude for our health, our happiness and our life together. Around tables throughout the United States of America, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will gather with mothers and fathers, grandpas and grandmas, extended family, neighbors and friends to thank God and one another. And then, we will all feast; not only on the food, but even more importantly, on the gift of the love which forms all family relationships and true friendships, the real source of lasting joy.

Happy Thanksgiving!!! May it be a day for love and gratitude.