Thanksgiving Day
Throughout today’s scripture readings, particularly those selected for the Thanksgiving holiday, there is a clear theme of blessing and thanks. Jesus commends the Samaritan who was healed of leprosy and returned to Christ to give thanks for his healing, saying that the Samaritan has been saved by his faith. This seems to imply that those who were healed with the Samaritan but did not return to offer thanks were somewhat lacking in faith. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians offers a word of thanks for God who has blessed us with the revelation of Christ which will help us remain faithful. And the selection from the Book of Sirach calls us to offer thanks to God for the numerous blessings that are bestowed upon us in our lifetime.
This connection between the scripture readings and the Thanksgiving holiday almost seems too obvious. But yet, they still challenge me to reflect upon whether I seize this holiday as an opportunity to offer praise and thanks to God for the many blessings in my life. Sadly I believe that too often I focus on giving thanks for my earthly blessings and thanking those around me who have helped me work towards those blessings as well as those who have been blessings for me. I do believe that is an important thing to do, but I will admit that I fall short in also acknowledging God’s grace working through those individuals who have been blessings for me. I fail to acknowledge how God has been working through me as I walk with others. And I have failed to recognize God’s impetus in helping me to achieve the blessings I have.
These readings propel me to continue to reflect upon the many blessings in my life and offer thanks for those, but also to make sure that my offer of thanks also extends to God. It is our faith that calls us to do so and it is this faith alongside the act of giving thanks that allows us to bless God in our daily lives as God’s disciples. In a lot of ways this Thanksgiving holiday signifies the beginning of the holiday season for me, the coming weeks are filled with preparations and celebrations as I wait in joyful hope for the coming of Christ in Christmas. What better way to prepare for the Advent season by offering our thanks to God, so that our ability to wait in joyful hope is further rooted in Christ and the many blessings of God’s grace which continuously permeates our sin-filled world.
Happy Thanksgiving!
- Mike Bennett