Thanksgiving 2023

Introduction

From Lydia Maria Child "Thanksgiving Day"

Over the river, and through the wood,  / To grandfather's house we go; / The horse knows the way / To carry the sleigh / Through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river, and through the wood— / Oh, how the wind does blow! / It stings the toes / And bites the nose / As over the ground we go.
Over the river, and through the wood, / To have a first-rate play. / Hear the bells ring / "Ting-a-ling-ding", / Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!
Over the river, and through the wood / Trot fast, my dapple-gray! / Spring over the ground, / Like a hunting-hound! / For this is Thanksgiving Day.
Over the river, and through the wood, /   And straight through the barn-yard gate. / We seem to go / Extremely slow,— It is so hard to wait!
Over the river and through the wood— /  Now grandmother's cap I spy! / Hurrah for the fun! / Is the pudding done? / Hurrah for the pumpkin-pie!

I hope you all feel some warmth today. Look at how blessed you are. Feel free to comment.

Matthew 6:25-33

Jesus said, "I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-- you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, `What will we eat?' or `What will we drink?' or `What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Scripture: November 25, 2021—Thanksgiving (Year B)—Joel 2:21-27  (image); Psalm 126 (image); 1 Timothy 2:1-7  (image); and Matthew 6:25-33  (image).  

Collect: Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

Reflection: From Pope Francis: Gratitude is always a powerful weapon. Only if we are able to contemplate and feel genuine gratitude for all those ways we have experienced God’s love, generosity, solidarity and trust, as well as his forgiveness, patience, forbearance and compassion, will we allow the Spirit to grant us the freshness that can renew… our life and mission. Like Peter on the morning of the miraculous draught of fishes, may we let the recognition of all the blessings we have received awaken in us the amazement and gratitude that can enable us to say: ‘Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man’ (Luke 5:8). Only then to hear the Lord repeat his summons: ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be fishers of men’ (Luke 5:10). ‘For his mercy endures forever.’