Thanksgiving Day/Year B
November 25, 2021
Joel 2:21-27; Psalm 126; Matthew 6:25-33
Matthew 6:25-33
Jesus said, "I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-- you of little faith? 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."
REFLECTION
This morning, I would like to pause here and use this time for a few moments of silence…to reflect on the words of Jesus we just listened to…to just be comforted by his words…to stand in silence in the awesome wonder of all creation…to let the good news of this scripture encircle us in the warmth and love of God’s all - encompassing embrace…and to let our hearts be filled with gratitude for the gift of this new day…a new day to give thanks and praise to God with our whole selves and to be inspired to give thanks in the actions of our everyday lives…the little and big tokens of “giving thanks” that bless all of our lives and unite us to one another as we reach out in love for one another, and for all of creation, as we have been so loved by God…
It’s been a difficult year for so many… the noise and chaos of the world in which we live in, can overwhelm us at times…we are missing loved ones, we are grieving many losses…yet…still…as we pause and look around at the people, at the created world among us…God is always here with us…in all that we see, yet often don’t notice…
So, for today…let’s just be still for a moment…and open our hearts and minds to see the abundant signs of the love of God that have been around us all along…those signs of God’s love that surround us today….and those signs of God’s love, and hope, and joy and grateful blessings that will be poured out for and will be with us until the end of the ages….
Take a moment of silence today to give thanks to God for the gift of this new day.
Take a moment to give thanks and praise to God for all our blessings.
Rev Julie Platson
St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church
Sitka, AK