It is “truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere” to give God thanks. We begin the Eucharistic Prayer, our great prayer of thanksgiving, with a dialogue between priest and people in which we’re urged to set our attention on God by lifting up our hearts to the Lord. This prayer we’re about to pray will rightly give thanks and praise to God.
We know that the dialogue we pray is very old, at least as old as the early part of the third century. We hear the greeting and response, “The Lord be with you,” “And with your spirit,” a number of times during the Mass. But this time the dialogue continues. This longer dialogue calls heightened attention to the Eucharistic Prayer and invites people to enter into the mystery.
While Thanksgiving can be celebrated as a secular holiday only, filled with families and football, I would have to ask the question, who then is being thanked? Of course, we do feel gratitude toward each other, and it is good to express our appreciation of one another. I think God needs to play a big part in the celebration of this day. I like the Thanksgiving Mass because I know that the people who have gathered are doing so because of their desire to give God thanks for all of the good in life, perhaps for creation itself. They have chosen to be there because they want to be there. I admire those who are cooking for large groups who take time out for this thanksgiving worship.
But whether we have the time and ability to attend a Thanksgiving Mass, it is good to take advantage of this holiday to reflect on the good things in our lives. For most of us, family and friends may be top of the list. Next on my list, is the beauty of creation. Then, three modern conveniences which I enjoy on a daily basis: use of electricity; indoor plumbing; cars. My life would be very different without these three.
I encourage everyone to spend prayer time in thanksgiving this week. Make a list of everyone and everything you appreciate. How can you help people know you are grateful for them being in your life? Make these words a reality in daily life: It is truly right, always and everywhere, to have hearts filled with gratitude for the God who loves us.
