This week we celebrate Thanksgiving, a time deeply rooted in gratitude — not just for the fruits of the earth, but for the many blessings that flow from the generous heart of God. The readings this Sunday remind us that gratitude is more than a polite response; it is an expression of faith, humility, and awareness of God’s presence in our lives.
In the first reading, Naaman, after being healed of leprosy, returns to give thanks to the God of Israel. His healing leads to conversion — gratitude turns him from a distant seeker into a believer. In the Gospel, only one of the ten lepers, a Samaritan, returns to thank Jesus. The others receive the same healing, but only the one who returns receives something greater — salvation. His gratitude becomes a bridge to a deeper relationship with God.
Thanksgiving, then, is not simply a seasonal ritual; it is a spiritual attitude that recognizes all as gift. St. Paul reminds Timothy, “If we have died with him, we shall also live with him” (2 Tim 2:11). Gratitude springs from this awareness that everything we are and we have comes from Christ — our life, faith, family, and even our struggles, which become opportunities for grace.
As Pope Francis once said, “Gratitude is a flower that blooms in noble souls.” It grows when we learn to see with the eyes of faith — to notice the daily miracles around us: the gift of creation, the love of family, the generosity of others, and the quiet strength God provides each day.
But Thanksgiving is not complete if we stop at being thankful. True gratitude moves us to share. The Catechism teaches that “the fruits of the earth belong to everyone” (CCC 2402). When we share what we have — food, time, love, forgiveness — we make God’s generosity visible in the world. As Jesus said, “Freely you have received; freely give” (Mt 10:8).
So as we gather around our tables this week, may we thank God not only with our words but with our lives. Let us reach out to those who are hungry, lonely, or forgotten, and make this Thanksgiving a celebration of both gratitude and generosity — a true foretaste of the heavenly banquet where all God’s children are one family.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1)
I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving!
