It seems that it was just the beginning of October and we were celebrating the Feast of St. Francis. Now it is approaching the end of November, as we anticipate celebrating Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving Day had religious and social elements in its early days, and was celebrated as a time to give thanks for the blessings of the past year. As a country, the day is no longer a religious feast, but a time for family and friends to gather around a festive table of food. For others, it has become a marathon day of football games. For some, Thanksgiving begins a “season of Giving,” where they give of their abundance to food banks, homeless shelters, and many others in need. This time of generosity, usually ends at Christmas or the end of the year.
What is at the heart of this day? Being grateful and thankful:
- For the bounty of the land at the end of the harvest season
- For the food and shelter in which I partake
- For a time of sharing of what I have with others
But most of all, a time for acknowledging the Blessings received from a generous and loving God throughout the past year.Â
Doesn’t the real purpose of Thanksgiving Day call us to be truly grateful; to take reflective time to call to mind the blessings that have graced our lives throughout the year . . .
  A CALL TO TAKE REFLECTIVE TIME
As I sit in what I call my quiet space, I realize that I have received many blessings, both large and small; some of which I recognize. For example, I moved safely across town this spring to a new home with the help of many generous hands. I was welcomed there, into a new Franciscan Home by one of my OSF Sisters. One of the real gifts of that move is that I am now living with my first cousin. We are getting to know each other in new and different ways. Ways we had never even imagined, in our many years of being together as Franciscans in this OSF Congregation. It is truly a blessing.
In the quiet, I am aware that there have been many unrecognized blessings:  either in the moment or even in reflection. That does not make them any less powerful in my life. Those blessings, too, have helped to form me into the person I am now.
So, in ending, I pray: “For all that has been, I am grateful. For all that is to come, I pray that I may be open.”
