I was showing a visitor around Graymoor recently and when they saw the breathtaking view from the top of the mountain, they said, “Thank you, God”. How often do we say that for things we receive? “Thank you, God, for this day” and for the very basic things that we often take for granted, like hearing the birds sing, fresh clean water, to be able to worship God freely, for family and good friends.
Each November we set aside a special day just to give thanks. Thanksgiving Day is a dramatic reminder that America’s roots are religious. Our founding fathers were intensely aware of God’s presence and God’s providence. It is a time to celebrate our blessings and a time to ask God for his guidance and direction for us and our nation.
Every civilization has its moments of pageantry, its days of remembrance of human achievement – Bastille Day, The First of May, Fourth of July, Canada Day. Every country has some kind of national day. But very few nations set aside a day when its people can just give thanks to a gracious God. Give thanks for the birth of the nation, for its survival, for its growth and for its freedom.
Look back and remember the thousands of people of many nations who have come to the U.S. seeing in this nation a land of freedom, of opportunity and a place of promise. For some it was the first time they could speak their mind freely and openly. The first time they could worship their God freely and without fear. The first time they could vote for a government of their choice. These are the facts that are good for us to remember and to recall on Thanksgiving Day.
The Friars are particularly grateful this Thanksgiving because even though we are all experiencing difficult times, many of you still do your best to support our ministries that allow us to reach out to so many. I am reminded of the hymn “Now Thank We All Our God” – “Thankfully, God has blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love…” this is still true today.