Scripture: "Give thanks to The Lord for he is good for his love is everlasting." Psalm 107:1
Reflection: Thanksgiving is one of the most significant holidays that we celebrate because we dedicate time and a day toward giving thanks. As a result of a busy schedule, daily events and happenings, as well as the course of life, we so not give out God enough thanks for his mighty blessings as well as helping us through difficult times. Often we will find ourselves asking in prayer, heeding our requests to God. How much more will we be blessed when we incorporate daily thanksgiving and praise into our lives. This Thanksgiving make an effort to sit down and reflect on what you are truly grateful for. God has blessed each of us in a special way over the past year. Sometimes it is easy to overlook blessings or perhaps we take things for granted. That is natural. However, when we sit down with The Lord in prayer and praise him for all he has done we draw closer to him.
When I was in Kenya over six years ago, I visited Kibera Slum, one of the poorest and underprivileged places on earth. I wondered what the poorest people who had literally nothing could be thankful for. God was more present in that destitute place than maybe anywhere else. The Kenyans opened their tiny Shacks held together with rotted wood and scrap metal to us volunteers. An elderly woman who had at least 7 grandchildren to care for and a one room shack with only one old wooden chair invited me in and insisted I sit down. She thanked me for coming and smiled. I was overwhelmed in this moment when I saw the face of Christ in this grandmother who had nothing and still what she did have she offered to me and then thanked me for visiting her. All I could think then and still to this day is "Wow!" There was no self pity or lack of faith, rather just the opposite! God was present and she believed that she was loved and that our presence was a blessing to her on that particular day. That experience is something I will never forget because it taught me a most valuable lesson when it comes to gratitude and Thanksgiving. When we are grateful most of all for the most significant blessings in our lives including our faith and relationship with God, our family and fostering our relationships with others, God is ever present in our lives and we will be filled with joy & peace. The Kenyan woman was grateful for her family and she was very Thankful for God as her faith shone like the hot Sun that day. She really did have it all because no one could take away her peace and joy as she was filled with great love.
This Thanksgiving take a moment to count your blessings and each day try to reflect on them. Even if it's only a few minutes or a couple seconds, recognize God's presence in your life. Be grateful for what you so have and raise The Lord up in praise. Blessings shall overflow in your life and you will begin to focus on what really matters and what truly fulfills the soul, a relationship with Jesus, love and fellowship with Family, and being a good friend and neighbor because it is who you are meant to be as a child of God!
Prayer: Dear Lord, give us a constant spirit of Thanksgiving. May we draw closer to you and be more grateful for the blessings you pour out into our lives daily. May we come to you in the Eucharist, which is the ultimate Thanksgiving meal and may we be filled with lasting joy and a heart that forever sings your praise. This Thanksgiving bless out families as we gather around the table together and allow us to reflect on all you do for us. May we have full confidence in your great love and may we be forever thankful for your sacrifice on the cross. Heavenly Father we praise you this day and thank you for our lives and leading us closer to you. We ask this and pray with thankful hearts in Jesus name. Amen
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