Thanksgiving Blessings

Thursday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Book of Daniel 6:12-28

"For he is the living God, enduring forever; his Kingdom shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be without end.  He is deliverer and savior, working signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, and he delivered Daniel from the lion's power."

Today in America we celebrate Thanksgiving.  It's a special day spent with family and friends.  We gorge on plenty of turkey, dressing, and pumpkin pie.  We watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, cheer on our favorite football team or check out pre-Black Friday sales.  It's a beautiful day where we stop and give thanks for the many blessings in our lives.  Just like the Pilgrims and the Indians feasted together at the first Thanksgiving, we as Christians do the same thing.

In the book of Daniel, the Prophet Daniel definitely had so much to be grateful for!  He served a compassionate King,  and he fervently prayed even though it was forbidden by Persian Law.  Daniel's faithfulness ultimately saved him from being eaten alive by fierce lions.  I'm sure we can think of many times in our lives when our own faithfulness has saved us from bad circumstances.

Here is a brief list of what I'm thankful for:

1. My Catholic faith and the rich blessings it brings to my life
2. My wonderful and loving family
3. Close and enduring friends
4. A wonderful parish community
5. A wonderful little dachshund who brings me so much joy! 
6. Good health and hygiene
7. A good job that's able to pay the bills and feed the belly
8. The gift of intelligence and a sense of humor
9. Opportunities for education that many women in other countries do not have
10. My vocation to the single life
11. Being a home owner, especially as a single woman!
12. A freedom of religion without threat of violence or harm for my faith
13. Our wonderful priests, religious and consecrated persons.
14. Easy access to technology and the Internet
15. Proudly living in the U.S.A!

The list goes on and on......  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

"Let the earth bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever."

-J.