[1]Thanksgiving is a time-horned tradition of setting aside a day, as a nation, to be thankful. Of course, Thanksgiving means different things to different people. For some, Thanksgiving represents a 4-day vacation from work and the routine of daily grind. Some can't wait for Thanksgiving because it represents one of the biggest shopping opportunities of the year with sales everywhere. For others it’s all about football - non-stop football, one game after the other. I'm sure it’s no surprise that some people are pretty dedicated fans when it comes to football.
One such young enthusiastic
fan was very excited when he won a ticket to the Super Bowl! His excitement dampened
when he realized his seat was in the back of the stadium. As he searched the
rows ahead of him, for a better seat, he found an empty one right next to the
field. He approached the old man sitting next to the empty seat and asked if it
was taken. The old man replied, ''No.'' Amazed,
the young man asked, ''How
could someone pass up a seat like this?''
The old man responded, ''That's my wife's seat. We've been to every Super
Bowl together since the day we were married, but she has passed away.'' ''Oh,
how sad,''
the young man said. ''I'm sorry to hear
that, but couldn't you find a friend or relative to come with you?'' ''No,'' the old
man said, ''They're
all at the funeral.''[2]
For many Thanksgiving is
the one time of the year that as a family they gather around a table of plenty
to feast, reconnect, and share the blessings of the past year. Probably more so
this year, than any other, we’ve experienced a tremendous lack of connection with
family, friends, and our parish communities due to the pandemic. Too many have experienced the
loss of a loved one, leaving an empty seat at the Thanksgiving table.
Our scriptures today are a reminder of all the blessings and
wonders God has done on earth. The world, throughout history, has experienced
the ravages of natural disasters, wars, droughts, famine, and pandemics. Yet, God
remains ever faithful in drawing us closer to fellowship with his Son, Jesus
Christ our Lord and to each other. He does this through the efforts of His
faith filled followers who continue to give of themselves in Jesus’ model, to serve,
in essential jobs and carrying out charitable efforts providing relief assistance
such as food and other resources to God’s children most in need.
God desires to grant us joy of heart, peace, and in all
circumstances, to give thanks, this is the will of God for us in Christ Jesus,
even in the midst of a pandemic.
Yes, Thanksgiving 2020 may be somewhat different than any other we’ve experienced! Thanksgiving 2020, for some, may be a 14-day quarantine from going into work and the routine of the daily grind. Thanksgiving 2020 still represents one of the biggest shopping opportunities of the year, with online sales available at your fingertips. As for football, hardcore fans will still be on the couch and in the stands, socially distanced of course, and, for many, family gatherings may be smaller this year, out of concern for the most vulnerable among us.
But one thing is for certain: Mass is the perfect place to begin Thanksgiving 2020, even if it is just the family around the TV for a live-streamed Mass at home. A family of faith gathered around and connected to this table of plenty, whether physically or virtually; spiritually this is Eucharist, which means and is “thanksgiving” for all the blessings God has done for us through His Son, Christ our Lord
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