Fr. Frank Majka, SJ – The Bridge

Thanksgiving Thanks

Every year Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, and St. Paul reminds us that being thankful should be a permanent feature in the life of a Christian, something we practice every day of the year.

While we may have many things to be grateful for, from material blessings to our health and everything else in between, this Thanksgiving we might want to concentrate on the people we are grateful for, whether they be among our family, our parish, our neighborhood, our co-workers or our circle of friends.

You might find it helpful to write their names down on a piece of paper and, next to each name, write one or two ways this particular person has been a blessing in your life. That could include some ways they have affirmed you but also how they may have challenged you to be a better person.

And, important as it is to identify these people, it would be wonderful if we were able to find a way to express our gratitude to them. A note, a call, an email or a card could be a thoughtful way to let them know that we appreciate them and the love they have given us. Even if they have died, we can talk to them and express our thanks to them in prayer. The belief in the “communion of saints” assures us we are connected to them and they to us.

Above all, we shouldn’t forget to say a sincere thank you to God, since, as the Bible tells us, all good gifts around us are sent, in one way or another, by God as signs of his love.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!