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Dear Parishioners,
Annual feasts such as Thanksgiving give cause for celebratory toasts and kudos to the cook for a delicious meal and gracious hospitality.
Such feasts traditionally begin with a blessing. Families often designate a person to lead the blessing or have a blessing they use. The Blessing is so intrinsic to Thanksgiving that religious affiliations or a person’s piety becomes secondary. All at the table bow their heads courteously.
The readings often chosen point to the heroes and heroines of the past and remind us to pray for our ancestors: Noah, Abraham, Moses, Aaron, David and Solomon.
The biblical legacy invites us to celebrate the many who have gone before us and who made the foundation of our nation. Their risk and sacrifices must not be forgotten.
Historians remind us “the pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No American has been more impoverished than these who nonetheless set aside a day of Thanksgiving.”
Today, we live in a time when we are confronted and challenged at every turn by conflict and immense array of violence — structural violence, two wars, inequality, racism, mass shootings, a bitterly-divided country, and sadly we often resort too often to scapegoating or demonizing the migrant refugee or the stranger.
Therefore, now more than ever, we gather to pray for peace and inclusion.
I read recently a statement from the Mayor of Hickory Hills titled “Hate Has No Home Here.” I agree wholeheartedly!
“HATE HAS NO HOME HERE.
Regardless of our ethnicity, religious affiliation or other beliefs, I have always found Hickory Hills to be a warm, welcoming community to all. Recent events, both locally and globally, remind us that there are many in our community who fear for the safety of loved ones abroad and are concerned about their own well-being due to the hateful actions of a handful of people. In times like these, it is important that we as a community show empathy and concern for the emotional and physical safety of everyone in our city.” Mayor Mike Howley, The Mayor of Hickory Hills.
Without peace, little else matters. At the Thanksgiving table, we must guard against uncharitable remarks. We also must remember in our prayers the social and religious outcasts.
Thanksgiving gives us an an opportunity to support those in need. After all, we are all pilgrims no matter how settled or comfortable we feel.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Sincerely, Fr. Mike Meany
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