Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Time goes fast! Don’t take any second of your life for granted. It’s a privilege to spend time with those we love and cherish! Today shouldn’t be the only day we are reminded of that. I am hoping to show our gratitude to God every day. We are here indeed to show gratitude! It is the name of the Holy Eucharist: To give thanks! First for the gift of life and also for every resource that the Lord has placed in our lives. This is a day for me to be grateful: A day to re-imagine where I came from and where I am today; a day to discern where the hand of the Lord miraculously transformed my situation. A day to discern when we are facing God’s appointment, and become patient in adversity so that in due time, God would fight for us. I am grateful for those times in my life because they taught me to rely on God at all times. It’s not an encouragement to be passive in life with a fatalistic view of life, but a courage to admit to ourselves that God is ultimately in charge no matter what. Therefore, fear not for I am with you says the Lord… I will catch you or teach you how to fly. I understand that Thanksgiving takes on a special meaning for us Americans, celebrating the best of our history. Thanksgiving becomes patriotic. May we remember the austerity of the table which calls to mind the story of the Pilgrims, the poverty they faced and bounty they enjoyed. A healthy harvest and the promise of another spring. Today we give thanks for the memories of our loved ones, those who are still here with us and the ones no longer with us yet still cherished and loved. We grow in our appreciation of each other as to never take anyone in our lives for granted. We pass on the cheer that nourishes us through the cold seasons of our lives. My wish is that the love of God that we show each other today, would continue to sustain us in seasons to come. May we receive faith, grace, love and peace from our Lord Jesus Christ who grants us forgiveness of our sins, and eternal life for us, who are adopted children of the Father. I am grateful for you and your family! I love you with the love of Christ. Please tell your family that you love and appreciate them. They need to hear you say it. Should we assume our family knows that we love them? No. I have to keep reminding my family that my love for them is much greater than anything we might go through. Happy Thanksgiving!

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