Thanksgiving, our American national holiday, is a very unique national observance in that it is not a day to honor a great national hero or leader; nor a day to remember a victory of our nation in battle against an enemy. It is a national holiday to thank God; to offer gratitude to God. Annually, on the fourth Thursday in November, our nation pauses to thank God. How very unique!
There are two aspects of giving thanks. First, to give thanks is to give thanks TO. Second, to give thanks is to give thanks FOR. On this national holiday thanks is given TO God and thanks is given FOR God. Clearly, in giving thanks to and for God the religious roots of this national holiday are evident as are the religious roots of our nation. God is thanked for many blessings bestowed upon us and our nation. Thanks are raised to God who is over us and with us.
Has our country distanced itself from those religious roots? Has the thanks to God and for God been lost in the national observance? Is God referenced in the media or public discourse when Thanksgiving is mentioned? Lots of talk is heard about turkeys, shopping, sales, sports, football, food, drink, holidays and time off. Mention of God, recognition of God is not heard. Has God been left out of Thanksgiving?
In these frightening times in which we are dealing with a deadly pandemic which is negatively affecting businesses, people’s health, schools, family life and even the usual celebratory gatherings that take place on this national holiday, you would think that God would be referenced.
For us Christians, gratitude is shown to and for God in prayer. For example, the Thanksgiving meal is a very appropriate time for a prayer of gratitude. For naming your blessings and for seeking God’s blessings. For identifying the thread between the lives of those present at the family table and God.
In addition to prayer, gratitude to and for God is shown by how we live with each other. The WELCOME we extend to all; the SOLIDARITY we have with one another; the HOSPITALITY we create for everyone and the SHARING from our bounty that we gladly do.
WELCOME — those who are different from us and whose cultures, languages, religions, nationalities and customs are unlike ours.
SOLIDARITY – our human bond with one another. We are joined together in the human family, together on the common journey of human life.
HOSPITALITY – how we receive all women and men into our institutions, communities, so that all may have a safe place to grow and prosper. Everyone needs and deserves a home.
SHARING – I give from what I have whether little or much. I see beyond myself to another to whom I reach out as if to a sister or brother. I see beyond my small world to another’s world.
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis in his recent encyclical FRATELLI TUTTI writes about human fraternity and social friendships. The Pope encourages us, in imitation of Saint Francis of Assisi, who inspired the encyclical, to sow “seeds of peace” and to “spread the love of God.” By WELCOME, SOLIDARITY, HOSPITALITY and SHARING we sow the seeds of peace and spread the love of God. We accompany one another and in doing so we give thanks to and for God.
It is coincidental that Thanksgiving takes place in this month of November during which we remember the faithful departed. The holiday brings to mind personal memories of our beloved dead who have gone before us marked by the sign of faith. We do not forget them. We miss them; we love them and we pray for them. In the Communion of Saints they are connected to us and we continue to have a relationship with them. They are especially remembered in family gatherings on Thanksgiving Day. For those who recently lost a loved one, their memory during the holiday can be especially bitter. Let us remember that their lives are changed not ended. And, let us live on this side of eternity giving thanks to and for God for them, the goodly company of these brothers and sisters. May they Rest In Peace.
And, may you have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING as you celebrate this unique national holiday, a day to give thanks TO and FOR God.
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, D.D.
Bishop of Camden