Dear Friends,
Who would have thought when we spent Easter in a “covid-safe” mode that we would still be doing the same thing at Thanksgiving and Christmas? Our normal times of gathering with family and friends have been limited by a greater good to keep our loved ones safe from the virus. It is our love that will keep us apart at these times this year. We give up the temporary pleasure of their company to have them safe and well long into the future.
Whether we are gathered with family or not this week, we still have the important spiritual task of giving thanks to God for all things. Giving thanks is one of the recommendations that St. Paul makes over and over again. Even if we are eating turkey all alone in our house so that our loved ones will be safe, give thanks.
In 1 Thessalonians, he writes, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Paul simply says very directly: No exceptions, no excuses—in everything give thanks. No matter the situation, we are to find a reason to thank God.
St. Paul believes that if we truly understand what God has done for us, then there is no other response but to give thanks. He did it from a prison cell. In 2 Corinthians, Paul says, “You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God, for the administration of this public service is not only supplying the needs of the holy ones but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. Through the evidence of this service, you are glorifying God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your contribution to them and to all others.”
As a Christian, there is something different about our spirit. Built into us is a heart of thanksgiving that cries out in gratitude to God. A thankless attitude should be abnormal for a Christian. It cuts across the grain of our understanding of what Christ has done for us.
As Christians we believe St. Paul when he teaches us that God will make even the bad things in our life work for good. For he says in Romans, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” The circumstance in itself may not be good, but God will take a bad thing and turn it to a good purpose.
When Christians gather, it is to give thanks. That is what the word Eucharist means – give thanks. It is what we proclaim together before we begin the Eucharistic prayer – I say, “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.” And you reply, “It is right and just.”
According to Paul, a Spirit-filled believer is a thankful believer, a joyful believer, a praying believer. If you are filled with the Spirit, thanks will gush out of you for everything.
Paul teaches it to the Colossians in the midst of their struggles, “over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Peace,
Fr. Damian