Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving will only find meaning when focused on its implications; because it implies that we have received gifts and blessings from Almighty God.  Even the great Mother Teresa understood and summarized near the end of life in one short phrase: “All is grace.”
 

The receivable gifts are not just the outward and visible signs, but more importantly the spiritual ones that the eye cannot see.  Because it is rooted within, where the soul is lay hidden.  It is the soul that can comprehend the greatest gift that we have received.  The soul understands the great gift to be the sharing of the divine life of God who is love.
 

Even when the grace of divine life was forfeited through sin, God chose to take upon Himself the punishment.  St. Paul says to the Romans 5, “But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.  How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath.  Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more once reconciled, will we be saved by his life.  Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”  The grace from God the Father is revealed through His only Begotten Son.
   

There is another image of grace.  It is found in the Gospel of Luke 17.  Many of us are familiar with this passage.  The story takes place in the region of Samaria and Galilee.  When Jesus entered the village, he met 10 Lepers that sought his healing.  Without doing anything to them, Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priests of the temple.  As they were going to the temple, they were cleansed.  But only decided to return and give thanks to Jesus.  The person happened to be a Samaritan, a non-Jew, a Gentile.  Jesus asked: “Ten were cleansed, were they not?  Where are the other nine?  Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”  Then he said to him, “Stand up and go, your faith has saved you.”  This foreigner understood that standing before him is the divine physician and healer; not only the body, but the soul.  The foreigner acknowledged the source of his healing, and return to give thanks. 

The third image of thanksgiving takes place at the Last Supper, and recorded in the four Gospels.  It is a gesture that acknowledges that God the Father is the source of all graces, and the beloved Son models that for us.  For on the night of the Last Supper, Jesus took bread, and giving thanks, broke it and gave it to his disciples.  And likewise, he took the cup filled with wine, and gave thanks, and gave it to his disciples.  Through this divine but humble gesture, the Lord taught the Apostles an important lesson to give thanks always to God the Father for the abundant blessings and graces. 

May God the Father bless each and every one of you this thanksgiving.  May the Spirit help you come to an ever awareness of the graces and blessings bestowed upon humanity, especially the gift of divine life.  May you model your life after the Beloved Son, who demonstrates gratitude at the Sacrament of the Eucharist.  Peace in Christ, and our Lady Queen of Peace, Pray for us.