We’re halfway through November. Halloween has come and gone and suddenly the big holiday season is upon us. And it all begins with Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 23.
While Thanksgiving may be a secular holiday where people all around the country come together with their families to enjoy good food, maybe some football, and take turns to name the things they’re thankful for, as Catholics, it’s our opportunity to also show our praise and thankfulness for God.
What better way is there than to come together at Mass as we celebrate the Eucharist? Event the word Eucharist is derived from the Greek word for thanksgiving.
Catholic churches everywhere will often have opportunities to start the holiday off with Mass both on the evening before and the morning of. The readings that are set aside for the special feast day only emphasize the importance of giving glory and thanks to God for the many gifts and graces that He’s bestowed on us.
As St. Paul proclaims in his First Letter to the Corinthians 1:3-9:
“Brothers and sisters: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in Him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of Our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and by Him you were called to fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
As we all prepare to enjoy the turkey and stuffing and cranberries this Thanksgiving, look around at the people sitting beside you, and see the face of God in them. Thank Him for giving you the gift of having these people in your life because no one deserves your gratitude more.
