Memorial of Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs
As we approach the end of the calendar year, we tend to pause for a moment to reflect on the year we’ve experienced. We tend to spend more time reflecting on the positive moments of the year, like graduations, weddings, and birthdays and spend significantly less time focusing on misfortunes, injustices, or violence that we may have also experienced that same year.
In our Gospel acclamation today, St. Paul calls on the Thessalonians and indeed on us as well to give thanks in all circumstances, the good and the bad, for “this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Thanksgiving is arguably the closest thing we have to a “National Day of Prayer.” We put the world aside for an entire day to come together as friends and family to share a meal, memories, love, laughter, and in many cases, a prayer of thanksgiving to Almighty God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us throughout the year. How despondent we are if we do this only once a year. We are called to give thanks to God at every moment of our lives, whether it is when we have the perfect day at work or if it’s when our alarm clock wakes us up in the morning. Everything we have is a gift from God our Father.
The Gospel today recounts the story of the 10 lepers healed by Jesus, with only one returning to give thanks. Let us strive to be that one among many. Let us give thanks to God for His immeasurable love and mercy towards us, His beloved children, not only on Thanksgiving Day but at each moment of each day of our lives. A Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.
Reflection by George, seminarian
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections