Daily Office Readings for Thanksgiving Day
Morning, Psalm 147; Deuteronomy 26:1-11; John 6:26-35;
Evening, Psalm 145; Joel 2:21-27; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24;
“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you.” (Joel 2: 26)
Joel 2: 21 to 27 appears in both, our Daily Office Readings and our Eucharistic Readings, for today. Perhaps this happens because of the invitation to “eat in plenty and be satisfied” words. However, the words that follow are even more important; “and praise the name of the Lord your God.” I once had a bumper sticker which read, “Don’t criticize the farmer with your mouth full.” The same holds true for God. If we are eating anything at all we should give thanks to God.
I once was sharing lunch with a mother and her child. The young man was accustomed to me saying the blessing before eating. At one lunch we started with milk shakes. The child waited before tasting his milk shake for me to bless it and was disappointed when I slurped some of my shake before saying the blessing. When his mother informed me about this I was really taken aback. But I learned, and now blessings come before anything at all goes into my mouth. I learned from that child to really praise the name of the Lord without fail; not just Thanksgiving Day, but every day, no matter how small the food item or other small gift might seem. The young folks are watching us and I am thankful to God for God speaking to me, through them. A blessed milkshake is also plenty and satisfying, and taste better blessed. Happy Thanksgiving!
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: (The Collect for Thanksgiving Day: p. 246 BCP)
Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
onewhoponders 