Happy Thanksgiving!
As I was thinking about the holiday and our current Corporal Work of Mercy, FEED THE HUNGRY, my mind was drawn to thoughts of Bishop Ken Untener. Bishop Ken was a humble man who had a real concern for the poor. He also had a beautiful way of teaching about the Mass. He said that Sunday Mass is our family of faith coming around the GREAT THANKSGIVING DAY TABLE! We don't show up like we are going to the movies, with our own thoughts and agendas, but we come, like a family to celebrate and give thanks for all that God has given us! One mind and one heart, one family joined by the EUCHARIST, a word that literally means "THANKSGIVING!"
A Gathering Song
Liturgy of the Word
The story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (Matthew 15:32-39) is a beautiful story about God's compassion, and also speaks to how there is enough for everyone when we share what we have. We also notice that before the miracle happens, Jesus looks to heaven and gives thanks!! Miraculous things happen when we are grateful and generous.
Here is what Pope Francis has to say about this scripture passage:
Offering Our Gifts
Three more ways to Feed the Hungry this month
1. Bake a loaf of bread. It can be any kind of bread; pumpkin, cranberry, yeast rolls, potato bread... and take it to a neighbor that you do not know. Maybe even consider tying a Thanksgiving prayer to it.
2. If you know of someone who will be alone for Thanksgiving dinner, give them a call or text and see if they would like to have Thanksgiving dinner delivered to them. Share part of your meal with them or have a meal delivered.
3. The Turkey Trot is cancelled, but the non-perishable food drive is still happening. Food can be dropped off at Espresso Milano and The Midland Community Center through Friday.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
During this portion of Mass we ask God to take all that we are and all that we have, to bless it, to heal it, to multiply it so that we can be his living presence in the world. Heaven and earth join on the altar as the bread becomes Christ's body and the wine becomes his blood. We receive and become that which we have received. And we give thanks for the mystery and reality of the Eucharist. I used this song in my Holy Thursday video way back in April. Of course then, I thought we would be "back to normal" by Thanksgiving, but alas, not yet. It is still applicable to today:
A Prayer for Thanksgiving Dinner
"Lord God, we gather around this table to humbly thank You for all that You have given us this past year – not just what is on this table, but who is sitting around this table. Thank you for life and laughter, for health and happiness, for relationships and memories. Thank you, too, for the lessons learned and the tears we’ve cried because of Your ability to grow us through them. Thank You for Your comfort and Your presence, in light of good days and bad. Thank You for what we have now, for what we had yesterday, and for what You will continue to give tomorrow. Let us never take that for granted, but to always be grateful for every good and perfect gift that comes from You. May we have hearts full of thanksgiving not only today but every day of our lives. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Amen." - Cindy McMenamin
"Love like you're made of the stuff..."
Wishing you all a Thanksgiving filled with gratitude and "stuffed" with joy!
Lyn