Still a Holy Day?
…And Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.” — George Washington, President of the United States
The fourth Thursday in November is set aside in this country as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer acknowledging the many favors of God. Though many Americans do not acknowledge God publicly anymore, we still celebrate this day each year. It has now become a day of eating a large meal with family and friends; a day to watch football; a day off from work. Like many other holidays, it seems to have lost its focus.
As Catholics we can easily say, “Well, Thanksgiving isn’t a real Holy Day or Feast Day, so why worry about the secularization of it?” And this is true. A government-mandated holiday is not a Holy Day as we commonly understand them. We are not required to attend Mass or to refrain from work. The Catholic Church does not have a specific moral lesson, or traditional narrative for this day.
It is Eucharist
Yet, as the Catechism points out: thanksgiving characterizes the prayer of the Church (CCC 2637). In fact, the word Eucharist means thanksgiving, and the Eucharist is the source and summit of the whole Christian life. Giving thanks is at the core of who we are as Catholics.
As Catholic Americans, we have a responsibility (to God, to the world, and to future generations) to bring Christ to our culture or more specifically to be “other Christs” within that culture. We should be encouraging any part of the American culture that affirms God and His plan for us. Thanksgiving Day is one part of our culture that does this.
Certainly, in this time of political unrest and confusion, we as Americans need to focus our minds and hearts on God, and on His Divine Providence. Our country will not be saved by any one president, or any political party. It will be saved only by God and by the prayers of its citizens. The Catechism reminds us that “love and service of one’s country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity” (CCC 2239).
Begin a Renewal
Out of love for our country, let us make this Thanksgiving Day a true act of public thanksgiving and prayer. For many of us, inviting friends and family over is about as public as we get on Thanksgiving Day. However, that is just public enough to begin a renewal of our American culture.
If at all possible, attending Mass would be a good way to celebrate this day. Perhaps we can make a special effort to set aside prayer time during the normal celebration of the day, before dinner or after. One way to do this is to have a Liturgy of the Word (a group of readings done just as we do at Mass using all the same responses, if possible. The Liturgy of the Word below is a suggestion.) At the very least, a public reading of George Washington’s proclamation, which began this article, would set the tone for the day.
Whatever we do, let’s make a special effort to publicly turn to God this Thanksgiving Day and praise Him for all the favors He has bestowed on this country and to ask Him for His continued guidance and care, especially in the difficult times ahead.
A Liturgy of the Word for Thanksgiving Day
First Reading: Isaiah 63:7-9
Psalm 145:1-7 (vs 1 as a response)
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Gospel: Luke 17:11-19
(Carol Kennedy is a Catholic writer with an MA in Theology and Catechesis from Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is the former DRE for the Spiritus Sanctus Academies in Ann Arbor, MI. Carol writes from Northern California where she lives with her husband and daughter. You can read more of her writings at www.carolscomments.com)
