Thanksgiving is upon us.  We will celebrate that Mass at 10:00 AM this Thursday.  I have been very gratified over the last several years to see the turnout for Mass on this special day.  I think it is fair to say that the attitude that is at the heart of our Mass—Ευχαριστούμε, Eucharist, Thanksgiving—truly shines forth in the congregation. 

I remember having a discussion with someone who was trying to be the Grinch of Thanksgiving and said, I thank no-one!  I answered, Ah!  But no-one is someone!  By that I meant that the verb “thanks” always has an object or implies one.  It is always directed somewhere.  We know that it is God who is to be thanked.  And there is no better way to do that than to remember the sacrifice God’s Son made for us as we celebrate Mass and share the Eucharist!

As a country, we give thanks once a year, but as a Church we give thanks every time we celebrate Mass.  So whether we are there this Thursday or are only able to come on Sundays, we recall the opening line of Psalm 107, “Give thanks to the Lord who is good, whose love endures forever!”