In central America, Turkey can be expensive because of their higher feed costs when farmers raise them, making chicken a more practical choice for Thanksgiving. Speaking of not having turkey, Chef Turkey says, this year, instead of turkey, may I suggest having a honey baked ham for dinner?
This past year there is a wild turkey believed to be the first ever spotted in New York City’s Manhattan borough, much to the delight of the local residents. It’s turkey breeding season so the turkey got confused and ended up in a busy city. They named it Astoria, who has been seen flying from tree to tree, to avoid dogs and human contact, like animal control, but it also lands and walks on sidewalks, startling some people who turn a corner and see this large bird!
Speaking of out of the ordinary events, giving thanks to God is most powerful when we remember to do it even for unexpected and even difficult moments.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Saint Paul says to “give thanks in all circumstances."
He knew a thing or two about suffering, and in Philippians 4:12, he says that he knows what it is like to have plenty and what it is like to be in need, because he learned the secret of being content in every situation.
e.g. The thankful healed Samaritan leper was aware enough to return to thank Jesus before jumping into his new life unlike the other nine.
By falling at the feet of Jesus, he converts, and his eternal salvation is equated with his giving thanks to Jesus.
“Where are the other nine? Jesus asks. They missed their connection with God. They were perhaps pushing their past life as lepers away as quick as they could, so excited to be healed and live again. And that is the problem. By not returning to give thanks, they risk remaining stuck in the role of "leper" and could not shift to a new, holier and healthier part, that would have led to gratitude to God.
It’s the same thing with Sunday Mass, no how important or absorbed we are in our lives, taking the time to break bread, and hear God’s Word, and support our parish is all part of giving thanks because the word Eucharist means to give thanks.
This also tells us of the importance of slowing down on Sunday and not working and resting the mind and body and to give thanks to God.
The other nine not returning to give thanks reminds me of something called a "parts works” therapeutic model, because when we do not respond to our internal conflicts or even temptations to sin by asking ourselves with curiosity what is the real need that needs to be addressed, you risk your conflict or temptation erupting and take things over by sin or addictive behaviors.
There is a lot of good results being done by Catholic therapists for men who feel trapped by the internet. I try and use it myself, so I don’t overeat at night after very long days. What is the real need that I have? It is for God, it is for peace, there are better ways to self sooth than too much food.
Except maybe for Thanksgiving Day!
Giving thanks in all circumstances, is a lot like “Finding God in all things” by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, which involves practicing self-reflection, and inner dialogue. If Ignatius recognized an interior impulse as an “evil spirit” and experienced God helping him go against that impulse, the result was the same, “finding God in all things,” which led him to gratitude and praise.
James 1:2 even says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face “various trials" or "temptations" of many kinds.”
The grace will be given to resist. Even to give thanks for the victory of Jesus Christ who is always there to strengthen us.
St. Bernadette of Lourdes also knew the value of giving thanks for everything, especially the sufferings and humiliations, as she shows us in her testament of gratitude. Now that she was older and maturing spiritually, she had learned new responses and could now deal with all those past troubles without any backup. As she reflected on her life, she was grateful in all circumstances. She knew that even in the worst of circumstances, God did not abandon her, and she was grateful,
-For the poverty in which my mother and father lived, for the failure of the mill, all the-hard times, for the awful sheep, for constant tiredness, thank you, my God!
Thank you, my God, for the prosecutor and the police commissioner, for the policemen, and for the harsh words of Father Peyramale!
For the slap in the face, for the ridicule, the insults, and for those who suspected me for wanting to gain something from it, thank you, my Lady.
-For my spelling, which I never learned, for the memory that I never had, for my ignorance …, thank you.
-For the days in which you came, Mary, for the ones in which you did not come, I will never be able to thank you…only in Paradise.
May we fully realize what St. Faustina came to know:
that in our thankfulness, true earthly joy resides
that in Your love for us, Jesus, we find the heavenly harvest
that strengthens our souls, until we reside in You, Jesus, forever.
Regarding that wild turkey in NYC. People chancing upon her take pictures and delightedly exclaim things like, “oh my, it’s that turkey!” and “you stay safe, girl!” They are so happy to see this famous bird.
Allowing God to remind us to give thanks in all circumstance and not get our feathers ruffled by being aware that when we start to get too absorbed in difficulties, to stop, reflect, so we give thanks to the Lord Jesus for all things, and he will meet our every real need.
