Bishop Solis' Thanksgiving Message 2021

CNS photo/Michael Alexander, Georgia Bulletin

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As Thanksgiving Day approaches, our thoughts naturally turn to our holiday traditions. Many might gather with their family for a big feast. Others may volunteer to serve a meal to those in need or participate in a “turkey trot” run or similar events that benefit a local food pantry, while others watch television – the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or an NFL or NBA game.

No matter our traditions, each of us individually, or with family and friends, is called to pause in prayer to thank God for all the blessings we have.

The past two years of COVID-19 have taught us how much we must be thankful for. We were blessed by the sacrifices and heroism of the first responders and health workers, the ability to connect with each other despite physical distancing, and the rapid development and accessibility of life-saving vaccines against the infectious disease, to name a few.

Others, because of sad circumstances, will feel less grateful. Perhaps we have lost a family member, friends or our job due to the pandemic, and may be sick or have loved ones who are still suffering. The pandemic may have also limited our choices to travel or to gather for fear of contracting or spreading the disease. It can really be challenging in times like these to trust completely in God, from whom we receive every good thing, to whom everything belongs and the one who sustains us all.

However, we have countless blessings from God to celebrate on Thanksgiving Day. These trying times have opened us to the knowledge of what is tremendously important – the value of family, personal relationships, work, the Church community, faith in God and the goodness of humanity. Hardships and uncertainties have reminded us of the inevitable disappointment that will come when we place our trust in the material things of this world. Our trust and hope belong only in God, who holds us in the palm of his hand, who loves us infinitely and will never abandon us.

Furthermore, Catholics in the United States have much for which to be thankful, not the least of which is the freedom to express and practice our faith. We have the Holy Eucharist (from a Greek word that means “thanksgiving”), where we receive in Holy Communion the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for our nourishment and salvation. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian life, identity and worship. We gather around the table of the Lord as one faith family, whether we are rich or poor, regardless of our race, color of skin or political affiliation.

As we celebrate this special holiday, let us not forget to give thanks to God and to remember all our brothers and sisters who might not have what we enjoy. May our good Lord who offered himself as a holy and living sacrifice for us and our eternal salvation give us the grace to be always mindful of all the graces we continue to receive, inspire us to have grateful hearts and help us learn that our blessings are not meant to be kept for ourselves but to be shared with others.

May God bless you, and a Happy Thanksgiving to all!