Pastors Notes from November 19, 2023
-
November 20, 2023With the blessings of beautiful autumn days and a bountiful harvest we approach the day set aside for our nation to pause with grateful hearts:
“I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States. . .to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such . . .blessings, commending to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace,
harmony, tranquility, and union.”
President Abraham Lincoln Third of October, 1863
As a parish bringing together the faithful of St. John, St. Malachy and Sacred Heart—and the many visitors—we too seek a presence of thanksgiving for our blessings, creating a spirit of peace, harmony and hope. Just a few thoughts guiding us toward Abraham Lincoln’s invitation to give thanks “If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.” (Meister Eckhart)
“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” (John F. Kennedy)
“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” (Maya Angelou) “Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.” (A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh)
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” (Albert Schweitzer)
“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world..” (John Milton) “The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy.” (Henri Nouwen)
“For me, every hour is grace. And I feel gratitude in my heart each time I can meet someone and look at his or her smile.” (Elie Wiesel) “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.
” (Gilbert K. Chesterton) “When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself” (Tecumseh)
"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." (Charles Dickens)
“I lie in bed at night, after ending my prayers with the words 'Ich danke dir für all das Gute und Liebe und Schöne.' (Thank you, God, for all that is good and dear and beautiful.)” (Anne Frank)
“O Lord that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.” (William Shakespeare)
“Don't kneel to me, that is not right. You must kneel to God only, and thank Him for the liberty you will hereafter enjoy.” (Abraham Lincoln)
And in the words of St. Paul, written to the Colossians: “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. . .And be thankful.”
God Bless & Thank you for sharing your faith,
Fr. Tim
