Gratitude

It is hard to believe that we will once again celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday. As I was praying this week I was struck by Joyce Rupp’s Litany of Generosity. It spoke to me of all that Thanksgiving is all about. May we have hearts full of gratitude and love as we approach this holiday. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Spiritual Practice by Joyce Rupp

(Response to each: Gracious God, give us generous hearts.)

— to share whatever gift it is that you have given to us. . .

— to acknowledge you as the giver of all good gifts. . .

— to give without counting the cost. . .

— to share without expecting something in return. . .

— to be wise in the way of caring for ourselves and others. . .

— to hold all of our treasures and values with open hands. . .

— to have gospel priorities and to align our life, love and time in their light. . .

— to be gracious and unbegrudging in our giving. . .

— to recognize the abundance of blessings in each passing day. . .

— to know the freedom that comes with true generosity. . .

— to experience the heart of the widow giving her mite. . .

— to accept our talents, whether many or few, and to use them in service of the Kingdom. . .

— to grow in giving thanks for everything. . .

— to be happy with having what we need and to be wise enough to know what it is that we want and do not need. . .

— to fall more deeply in love with the God of all generosity so that our hearts are strong enough to give away freely whatever is asked. . .

O gracious God, who so generously lavishes our lives with goodness, create in our hearts a deep center of gratitude, a center that grows so strong in its thanksgiving that sharing freely of our treasures becomes the norm and the pattern of our existence. Remind us often of how much you cherish us, of how abundantly you have offered gifts to us, especially in the hours of our greatest need. May we always be grateful for your reaching into our lives with surprises of joy, growth, and unearned love. Amen.

— Joyce Rupp in Fresh Bread and Other Stories of Spiritual Nourishment

The Times They Are A-Changing

 

For the past few weeks, I have been reflecting on change. It struck me that we are living in times of constant change. I often say that no two days are the same. Every day is a new experience and filled with blessings and challenges. When I was speaking to a friend the other day, she said that she was having a pity party for herself. In the midst of her pity party someone told her that she should practice having a fifteen-minute pity party followed by fifteen minutes of gratitude. What a fabulous practice. Imagine if we all tried that. I think our world would be a different place.

When I was reflecting on change Bob Dylan’s song came to mind. Perhaps it has some wisdom for us as we navigate these never-ending changing times.

The Times They Are A-Changing

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin'
And you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
The battle outside ragin'
Will soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin'
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is rapidly fadin'
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'

Songwriters: Bob Dylan

 

Veterans Day

 

Every wonder why Veterans Day is on the 11^th and does not change? World War I ended on the 11^th day of the 11^th month on the 11^th day on the 11^th hour.

Usually at this time we see veterans selling poppies. Often the veteran tells you how you should wear the poppy. It should be worn on the right side; the red represents the blood of all who gave their lives; the red represents the blood of all those who gave their lives, the black represents the mourning of those who didn’t have their loved ones return home, and the green leaf represents the grass and crops growing and future prosperity after the war destroyed so much. The leaf should be positioned at 11 o’clock to represent the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the time World War I formally ended. The explanation of the significance of the poppy is important to continue to pass on to future generations as the generation that began it will not be around much longer to teach it. We must remember those from our current wars too.

Tomorrow when you see a veteran remember to thank them for their service and to pray for those who did not come home or who are no longer with us. Let us take the time to pray for and remember those who fought that we might enjoy our freedom. May God bless all those who served and who will serve in the future.

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,

"Which is the first of all the commandments?"

Jesus replied, "The first is this:

Hear, O Israel!

The Lord our God is Lord alone!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul,

with all your mind,

and with all your strength.

The second is this:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12: 28-31)

Today’s Gospel is a reminder of the great commandment. In this Gospel Jesus recalls the Shema prayer – the prayer said daily by most Jewish people. It is a poignant reminder or what we are called to be as Christians. We are called to love God and love our neighbors.

How do we show love for our God and our neighbors in these turbulent times? We are in the midst of the Presidential election and are being bombarded by political ads that are full of unkind rhetoric, accusations, etc. Social media is full of similar platforms that seemingly seek to divide. In the midst of all of this the call is clear we need to follow the great commandment. If we treat one another with kindness, we will be a far better nation. Let us take these days to pray for peace and model peace in all we do.