|
Sirach 50:22-24
1 Chronicles 29:10bc, 11, 12
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Luke 17:11-19
“And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things
on earth, who
fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb.” (Sir 50:
22)
Thanksgiving/USA: Lots of turkey, pumpkin pies and other good foods; brisk
cool weather with trees nearly bare of their colorful leafage; extended family
gatherings; and probably the ongoing TV football coverage in the background
(or foreground, depending on your interest).
Thanksgiving is a time of celebration. As a child, I remember waking
to the smell of the baking turkey. We’d hurry downstairs to watch the
televised Macys’ Thanksgiving Day parade with Santa’s arrival (and the official
beginning of the Christmas season)! Then it was time for the wonderful
dinner with relatives and lots of adults talking, kids playing, and
football games.
Today, as an adult, I’ve learned that these same memories are due to lots
of attentiveness by many people to the creating of these happy ‘happenings’:
care-filled planning of the meal; consideration to inviting family and friends;
mindful arranging for activities for the non-sports/TV minded; and perhaps,
tuning-in to those ‘day after Thanksgiving’ sales as the Christmas season
rushes in to full swing.
But wait – what about all this ‘attentiveness’? Today’s readings
invite us to center on a deeper mindfulness…a celebrating of the blessings
of the every day. From Sirach, we are invited to : “… bless the
God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth, who fosters people’s growth
from their mother’s womb.” In the psalm response we are reminded
that all creation - “… all in heaven and on earth is God’s…”
And Paul thanks God for the graces bestowed on the Corinthians, “…that
in Jesus, all were enriched in every way, with all speech and knowledge…not
lacking in any spiritual gift.”
Can I take time out of today’s ‘have to do’ list in order to tune into
God’s presence (blessings) in my life during this past year? Perhaps
if I could allow these scriptures’ messages to seep in to my consciousness,
I might not feel that my ‘have to do’ preparation list for turkey day was
super important (or at least I might be able to prioritize a bit more).
In fact, stepping back to praise and bless God for this year’s happenings,
especially the wedding of my daughter and her new husband along with the
multiple gatherings of friends and family to celebrate this wonderful event
could fill my reflection time to over-flowing!
Is there time today to reflect on how have we grown in God’s blessings?
I believe that this stepping back, becoming attentive or conscious of when
we are most in tune with God is what today’s scriptures call us. It’s
about relating to our God…blessing God/ acknowledging God’s presence (presents/blessings)
in our lives.
Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when he said to the one leper who returned
to bless God and thank Jesus for his healing: “Weren’t all made whole?
Where are the others?”
Please take a moment to join with me in the blessing from Sirach:
“And now, bless the God of all, who has done
wondrous things on earth, who
fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb.”
|