Give Thanks

Paul’s letter to the Church in Thessaloniki encourages the congregation to “rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Give thanks in all circumstances…..

The truth is, for me, my heart is heavy this Thanksgiving season because so many friends are grieving the loss of loved ones or are enduring painful medical challenges. My heart is heavy for the suffering in the world, as wars, famine, and food insecurity are ever present.

Brian McLaren writes in Richard’s Rohr’s Daily Meditation:

“Jesus makes it clear that a life lived to fulfill God’s dream for creation will involve suffering. But even here, Jesus implies that there is reason for gratitude. You see it in the Beatitudes, Jesus’s eightfold way of happiness (Matthew 5:3–12). There is a blessing in poverty, he says; to the degree you miss out on the never-enough system, you partake of God’s dream. There is a blessing in the pain of loss, because in your grief you experience God’s comfort. There is blessing in being unsatisfied about the injustice in our world, he says; as God’s justice comes more and more, you will feel more and more fulfilled….”

Of course, Jesus’ words reassure me. Suffering is so hard, but I give thanks for the hope of God’s peace and abundant life.

I am grateful for friends, to be able to be present with them in joy and sorrow.

I am ever grateful for our Eucharistic liturgy, where we give thanks for the Body and Blood of Jesus and are renewed to go out into the world to love and to serve our Lord.

In our Alleluia III Songbook, Give Thanks (p. 44) says it all:

Give thanks, with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ His Son. And now let the weak say “I am strong.” Let the poor say “I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us!” Give thanks.

Thanksgiving Blessings,

Judy Q +