This coming Thursday, we celebrate the Thanksgiving story—it’s about people who endured a bitter winter in 1620-21. They persevered in their quest for Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear. In the autumn of 1621, they celebrated a great feast of Thanksgiving to God.
Modern scientific studies recognize the benefits of an
attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving. Starting meals with a prayer of
gratitude can cut 10 points off your blood pressure. Focusing daily on what you
appreciate about loved ones can add years to your life. Making brief notes of
positive moments in your day can increase your happiness.
So, this Thanksgiving let’s give thanks to God for our many
blessings in “the land of the free and home of the brave.”
Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King
In the Gospel according to Matthew, the author describes the final round up in the parable about “judgment.” How will God judge us? By how we treat people. In people, we encounter God.
Many people today cry out for freedom from tyrannies that dehumanize them. They beg for a livable, viable social order built upon truth, justice, love and freedom.
Truth is a powerful word. What we say ought to be in sync with what really is. Truth is an essential ingredient in a Christian social order and in all our relationships.
So is Justice. treating others fairly, and giving one another his or her due.
A third powerful word is love. Love recognizes that every human being is made in the image of God. Love compels us to go out to others and in reaching out to one another in need, we reach up to the Other, God, who loves us unconditionally.
Unfortunately, many limit their love to their “own kind.” Yet, love is essential to become the best version of one’s self.
A fourth powerful word is freedom. God became one of us in Jesus to free us from all that keeps us from a relationship with God, one another and the universe. So, to be freed from is one side of the coin. St. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “You were called to freedom...to be servants.” Yes, we are free to serve.
All around us are people with hungers: for bread, for peace, for justice. Only a social order based upon truth, justice, love and freedom can satisfy these hungers. Such a social order frees us to become the best version of our selves. Putting aside our own inconvenience to compassionately reach out to someone in need is holiness: discipleship.
Christ the Shepherd-King call us to realize that among the many blessings we have from God is the gift to share what we have with one another.
And in doing so, we become co-workers with God in building up His kingdom. And for that calling, may we be truly grateful for that opportunity.
