Reflection and Prayer for Thanksgiving Day
By Marta Alves
Thanksgiving Prayer- www.faithleap.org\thanksgiving_prayer.htm
Thanksgiving Recipes- www.faithleap.org\thanksgiving.htm
We raise our hearts to the Lord, at the Thanksgiving Table, to remember all the good that God has done for us throughout the year.
Pope John Paul II on July 29, 1987 reflected on how Jesus lived to give thanks to God the Father:
Jesus said in Matthew 11:25: "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes . . ." (Mt 11:25).
At the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus said: "Father, I thank you that you have heard me" (Jn 11:41).
When he multiplied the loaves of bread near Capernaum:"Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish . . ." (Jn 6:11).
Jesus gave thanks when he gave us the Eucharist, before making the bread and wine, his body and blood, as they tell us in Luke 22:17; in reference to it see Mk 4:23 and Mt 26:27.
See the following Psalms of thanksgiving in the Old Testament:
Let us bow our heads and pray Psalm 145 (NAB):
1Praise. Of David.
I will extol you, my God and king;
I will bless your name forever and ever.
2Every day I will bless you;
I will praise your name forever and ever.a
3Great is the LORD and worthy of much praise,b
whose grandeur is beyond understanding.
4One generation praises your deeds to the next
and proclaims your mighty works.c
5They speak of the splendor of your majestic glory,
tell of your wonderful deeds.d
6They speak of the power of your awesome acts
and recount your great deeds.e
7They celebrate your abounding goodness
and joyfully sing of your justice.
8The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in mercy.f
9The LORD is good to all,
compassionate toward all your works.g
10All your works give you thanks, LORD
and your faithful bless you.h
11They speak of the glory of your reign
and tell of your mighty works,
12Making known to the sons of men your mighty acts,
the majestic glory of your rule.
13Your reign is a reign for all ages,
your dominion for all generations.i
The LORD is trustworthy in all his words,
and loving in all his works.
14The LORD supports all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.j
15The eyes of all look hopefully to you;
you give them their food in due season.k
16You open wide your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17The LORD is just in all his ways,
merciful in all his works.l
18The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.m
19He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.n
20The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he destroys.o
21My mouth will speak the praises of the LORD;
all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.
Give thanks to God for all we have received this year, and in return let us bless others and share our Thanksgiving.
Scriptures for Thanksgiving: Psalm 145, 1 Sirach 50:22-24, 1 Cor 1:3-9
At our tables in Thanksgiving Day, ask every one there- What are you thankful for?
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