Readings for Thanksgiving Day: Year B
Joel 2:21 to 27; Psalm 126; 1st Timothy 2:1 to 7; Matthew 6:25 to 33:
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6: 31 to 33 NRSV)
While some other translations use the word “anxious” to describe the emotion around not having, the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible uses the word worry. I think it fits with regard to the level of concern we devote to what we don’t have. We forget about what we do have and also we forget to give thanks for what we have.
I believe everyday should be a day of Thanksgiving. For everyday is a gift. Maybe the only thing worth worrying about is a shortage of days. But right living will keep us prepared for the Day that our Lord receives us into that eternal kingdom, that place of forever peace. There will be no worries there.
Our Lord Jesus says that worrying is what the Gentiles do. Gentiles mean Nations, or people other than Israelites. For us who are on the Christian path of the God movement, the Gentiles mean the rest of the world and their self-serving pursuits. It could be food, clothing, cars, houses, phones, electronics, fame, or just plain wealth. All of these are temporal. I once told someone that the only value gold has is that others lust after it. If nobody wanted it, it would have no value.
Our eternal souls are valued by God. God wants us to be among the heavenly court when we transition from this place. While we are here, God is aware of both our deeds and needs. And, according to our Lord Jesus, God will make sure we have what we need. And for God’s love and attention we ought to be truly thankful.
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 