November 27, 2011 THANK YOU
The two most powerful words that I hear parents drum into the ears of their kids are Thank You. Maybe besides “Mom” and “Daddy”. Kids growing up are reminded to say it again and again when they receive a gift. “What do you say?” And the kid goes “thank you” without prompting.
Thanksgiving is one of the most beautiful and meaningful feasts I like in our secularized culture, not so much because there is a lot to eat and drink—that too—but because religion and secular culture blend so well. And whether you are so averse to the word Thanksgiving Day because of the obvious religious overtones and so prefer to say Turkey Day, that does not take away from the sentiments that this great celebration brings us all.
And indeed we have a lot to be thankful for in a world where the news always assails us with the dark and gloomy side of our human nature. We get to share the bounty of friends and family. We get to pause and see the beauty of life. At the end of harvesting season we are wowed at the fruits that Mother Earth, Our God, has blessed us with before Nature goes into another deep wintry slumber.
But truth be told, the turkey needs to pardon us rather than receive pardon from the President on our behalf. What is the Thanksgiving meal without the turkey and of course ham, and cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie and pecan pie and apple pie, etc., etc. Gosh Francis! How much your stay in America has changed your taste!! Yes Thanksgiving has changed me very much and to all who are responsible, I say Thank you. One thing I’ve not been able to bring myself to do—the manly and so-called royal treat of deer hunting. Back home in Ghana among a certain tribe (the EFUTUS) it is the time to catch the deer live. The group which succeeds first wins the prize and the big durbar of the Chiefs and people celebrate their prowess. The fruitfulness of Mother Nature is acknowledged and praised.
And so the lessons of childhood carries on with us all and as people of faith we celebrate the greatest Thanksgiving as we prepare this Advent to receive God’s mighty gift—His son to us.
Thank you Lord and Come Lord Jesus!
~~Fr. Francis