Reflections on Thanksgiving
On this Thursday our Nation takes pause
to give thanks for all our blessings. At the Liturgy of the Eucharist,
we pray “Father, all powerful, your gifts of love are countless and your
goodness infinite. On Thanksgiving Day, we come before you with
gratitude for your kindness. Open our hearts to concern for our
fellow men and women so that we may share your gifts in loving service.”
Thanksgiving is a time for realizing how
often we take for granted our gifts from God: the gift of life, the
gift of our five senses, the gift of our talents, the gift of faith,
the gift of membership in His Church; the gift of the Eucharist and His
Mercy; the gift of friendship, and the gift of freedom.
At this time of
year, we are encouraged to ask ourselves “How can I repay the Lord for
His goodness to me?” (Psalm 116:12) The debt of gratitude we owe
for God’s faithful love can be repaid only in a two sided coin. Turning
to God in Thanksgiving and doing for others what has been done for us.
“Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us, to share your
blessings with our brothers and sisters, and to experience the
joy of life in your presence”. (17th Sunday of
Ordinary Time)
On Thanksgiving day, as we gather
with loved ones and friends to enjoy this beautiful celebration, let us
join hands pray with all our hearts for all the young men and
women who are in the military sacrificing their lives for our
freedom. Let us pray for their safety and welfare. Let us pray for
their families. Let us pray for the millions of people around the world
who suffer. Let us pray for peace, respect and love in our
world!
Happy Thanksgiving and may the Lord’s
blessings be bestowed upon you and your family!
Fr.
Patrick Fitzgerald, OFM
PRAYER AT THANKSGIVING
Father, we come together to remember,
celebrate and thank you, the author of every good gift.
We are grateful because we have not forgotten.
It is You who have given us the gift of each other.
The love that we share was planted by You in our hearts.
You have given us this free land and this bountiful food.
You have given us good friends to cherish and share your gifts
with.
You have given us the earth, the sea and the sky and all that
dwells therein.
From your gracious hand we have received all that we are and
have.
For our faith, hope and love we are grateful.
We ask Your Son, Jesus to thank You better than we know how.
Amen
Reflections 
