Homily: Thanksgiving 2015 - Giving thanks in times of darkness

Today, Americans gather around their tables with family and friends in a day for thanksgiving and rest. While the holiday dates back to long before the establishment of the country, Thanksgiving became an official holiday for the whole U.S. when President Abraham Lincoln made it so in 1863.

In the document officially instituting Thanksgiving as a national holiday, In the midst of the American Civil War, Lincoln noted that despite war, the American people had much to give thanks for, and he credited the blessings of our country to nothing else but God’s grace.  He wrote, “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.”

He then asked everyone in the country “to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”

Lastly, President Lincoln requested that everyone pray for God to heal the country’s wounds, having particular concern for “widows, orphans, mourners or suffers” from the Civil War.

The prophet Isaiah wrote to the people of Judah, as things were really starting to fall apart.  Israel was turning false worship, the kings were growing increasingly evil, and immorality was growing rampant.  In the first part of the book of Isaiah, Isaiah spoke of Israel’s impending doom.  For turning away from God, Israel would be handed over to her enemies.  But then Isaiah spoke a word of consolation.  He said, even when things are dark, even when you’ve been handed over to your enemies, held captive in exile, even when you see your mighty cities fall, “recall the loving deeds, the glorious acts of the Lord”, think of “all the Lord has done for us.”

Much like President Lincoln’s time, the country is greatly divided.  We, may not be in open civil war, but ideological differences are causing great division and great hostility.  Much like Isaiah’s time, we see our countrymen turning to false God’s, corrupt politicians, rampant immorality.

Despite the darkness, it is important for us to continue to gather to give thanks, to consider the loving deeds, the glorious acts of God.

At every Mass, the priest proclaims, “It is right and just, always and everywhere to give God thanks.” Always and everywhere.  We give thanks in times of blessing, we give thanks in times of darkness.  In a sense, the Christian Church is like the eye of the hurricane.  Despite the Chaos around us, we gather to give Eucharistic thanks, and pray, that our attitude of gratitude replaces the entitlement and bitterness of the world. 

So take charge in your Thanksgiving gatherings today, lead your families in turning to God today, to thank Him for his loving deeds and glorious acts, and in praying for our world afflicted by so many wounds, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.