Thanksgiving Day

"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35). 

The canticles appointed for Morning Prayer on Thursday -- even though this is a special Thursday, Thanksgiving Day -- celebrate God's saving work in history and sing out with a voice of praise and gratitude.

I will sing to the Lord, for he is lofty and uplifted; *
     the horse and its rider has he hurled into the sea. (Canticle 8)
.....
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
     we worship you, we give you thanks,
     we praise you for your glory. (Canticle 20)

This American holiday on the Episcopal Church's calendar focuses on gratitude for "the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them" (BCP 246). We are especially grateful on a day like this for America's "amber waves of grain," and we are mindful also of the needs of others.

But even the regular Thursday canticles this morning point our attention back to God, who supplies all our needs -- from deliverance out of bondage, to manna in the wilderness, to Jesus himself, the "bread of God which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world" (John 6:33).

Every Thursday, and really every other day, too, our morning prayers express our gratitude to God ...

"for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of our world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory" (BCP 101).

I hope your celebrations today will remind you of all God's blessings in your life, and that your hearts will be turned to praise.

Let us bless the Lord!
Thanks be to God!