What are you thankful for today? - Daily Reflections November 28,2013

THANKSGIVING

EVEN AT THE END OF THE WORLD

 

Although it has little to do with our liturgy, the American tradition of Thanksgiving Day (every fourth Thursday of November) has slowly made inroads into other countries like the Philippines (at least in some affluent, Western-culture homes). In any case, thanksgiving or gratitude has a universal and valid value, definitely worth recognizing and celebrating through ritual and tradition. But on the basis of our Gospel reading today, there is hardly anything to be thankful for! All we have are ill-omened signs and events, such as the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world itself.

       But on second thought — thanks to a deeper look at the reading —we realize that it isn’t all gloom and doom after all. In fact, although there is an interesting mixture of fear and anxiety, there is also consolation and assurance. We can have recourse to our First Reading: it’s about the deliverance of Daniel from the lion’s den. And particularly telling is also the last verse of the Gospel: “When these things begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

       With this, our work is already cut out for us. As Christians, we don’t need at all to be predictors of a future of destruction and damage. Why should we still add to the mess already taking place in our midst, with nature going haywire with calamities and environmental degradation? Let us rather be a people of hopefulness and vigilance, master crafters of God’s Kingdom in the here and now. Thus, we will always have reason to thank God — always and every day, not just on Thanksgiving Day. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: What are you thankful for today?

 

Jesus, thank You for the gift of Your consolation and assurance, especially during our times of despair.