It seems to me that this entire week is a special week devoted to giving thanks. It is the week when we celebrate Thanksgiving day. But, this holiday should also be a day when we grow in awareness of our blessings. It should be a day of giving thanks first of all to God, but then also to our family and friends as well as all those with whom we come into contact almost daily. After all, after God, our family and friends are very important to us. It has been said that the mere words "thank you" is in English a bald phrase, quickly uttered. We use it in many different ways such as: "thanks," or "thank you very much," or "I wish to thank you," and so forth. It can even be said with sarcasm, depending on the context and intonation. An example would be "thank you very much," with a strong emphasis on the first word. Or it can be used as a dismissive expression, such as "I told them, you can count me out, thank you very much." But, most of the time the word is used sincerely and we mean to thank someone or to thank God for what has been done or given to us. The celebration of the Eucharist is in itself a thanksgiving prayer. Eucharist means to give thanks. But, we can also give thanks for a beautiful sunset, a beautiful day, or for that matter any day in our lives. When we get out of bed in the morning that is already a chance and a good time to thank God for giving us another day, for giving us a day to praise and thank him and to enjoy his creation. Some have said that humility is a prerequisite for the joy of gratitude, since the receiver temporarily accepts the lower place. Some facial expressions express thanks such as nodding the head. In some cultures a full bow is a way of expressing this. But, for us probably nodding the head can often be a part of our demonstrating thankfulness. Even when we shake hands that too can be a symbol of admiration, benevolence, and gratitude on both sides. Yes, "THANK YOU" – two words that we use often. This Thanksgiving week let’s try to make them even more meaningful. The words should express what we really believe in our hearts. I want to be grateful. I am grateful for all that I am and for all that I have been given. How often do we thank God for the gift of life, for being able to work, for being able to play, or even for the gift of suffering when that comes into our lives. As has so often been said, where there is love there will also be suffering. Finally I want to say thank to all the oblates for your goodness to Conception Abbey and to me personally. That means much to all of us here. "Let us all give thanks to the Lord Our God." To read Father Kenneth’s personal blog click here.
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