Thanksgiving Day 2020 - Catholic Squanto, Religious Tolerance, and Gratitude

Thanksgiving is not an explicitly Christian holiday; it’s not a feast day of the Church, even in the United States. Yet, it certainly has a religious dimension, for on thanksgiving we turn to God, the author of all Goodness, to give thanks for those things which we value most: family, friendship, nation, the goods of the earth, and our neighbor.

In the year 1615, an English explorer Thomas Hunt, a compatriot of the famous John Smith, captured a group of Native Americans to sell them on the slave trade. One of these Native Americans was Squanto.  The group was rescued by Catholic Franciscans Friars, who baptized Squanto and catechized him in the Catholic faith.  Squanto went to England where he worked in the shipyards and became fluent in English.  

Squanto returned to his Native America where he was living for about 5 years when the pilgrims left England in order to pursue a Calvinist Utopia in Massachusetts because they thought the Anglicans were “too Catholic”.  The pilgrims however had no food and were starving.  Squanto, hearing of their distress, came to their aid teaching them how to grow corn and to fish.  Thanks to Catholic Squanto they celebrated their first successful harvest in 1621, the first Thanksgiving.

Not long after, Squanto was abducted by another group of hostile Native Americans, and the pilgrims whom Squanto had helped, dropped everything to go and save him. Already, our land was beginning to take shape as a place of religious toleration and mutual cooperation. A place where people of different beliefs could work together.

So the Thanksgiving meal has a history of people even of different faiths sitting down at table together. It is not that we ignore the divisions, strife, pain, friction, brokenness, or sorrow out there. But it is a very important human need to stop and give thanks. It’s not a day for political arguments, but for the refreshing of society. Thomas Aquinas said, gratitude is the “mark of a happy disposition to see good rather than evil.” So, take time today with those you love, to count the blessings; as St. Paul writes to the Philippians, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy” speak about these things.

Thankfulness is the soil in which the soul thrives, in which families and nations thrive. May this day be filled with a deep sense of gratitude to God, free from turmoil, division, and discord, that those most important bonds may be strengthened and refresh our society for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - - - - - 

That people of good will may work together against attacks on religious liberty and the Christian Faith to pursue together the building up of God’s kingdom.  We pray to the Lord.

For the protection of our armed forces, police, and firemen and all those who risk their lives to preserve the security of our country.  We pray to the Lord.

For the safety of travelers, the peaceful resolution of all family divisions, and national hostilities, for protection from disease, and harmony amongst all those who gather together today.

For the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the sick, the aged, the lonely, the grieving, those who are out of work, those who are facing financial difficulties, those with addictions, and the imprisoned: that God will draw close to them, and bless them with grace and peace.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom, and For Our Country, Our Constitution & Religious Liberty, for which this Mass is offered. 

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.