As I mentioned last week, that was the last of the “Things that Catch My Attention” series, for the time being, at least. Starting today, we are returning to the lectionary cycle of readings, at least through the holiday season.
So today we are doing the reading given for Thanksgiving Day. We’re reading this today because we won’t be gathering here this Thursday, and next Sunday we will be diving straight into Advent season.
The reading, which I’ll get to in a moment, comes from Paul’s letter to the people of the new Christ-community in Philippi, the capitol of ancient Macedonia. Philippi was the first of the European cities in which Paul preached the Good News. It was also the city where Paul’s experience was the happiest, with less of the heavy resistance from Jewish Orthodoxy that dogged him for the rest of his life, and more support for Paul as he spread his teachings across Europe.
Paul loved the people of Philippi and they—the Christian believers--loved him. This is a letter filled with love and joy. It is important, therefore, for us to place it in context and realize that when Paul was writing here, he was actually in a Roman prison. Furthermore, while in some of his other letters written from prison, he sounded very hopeful that he would soon be released, in this one he sounds less certain and writes as if he may well not see them in the flesh again.
So our Thanksgiving reading for today was written by a man in prison, facing the fact that this might well lead to his execution—and sending a message of joy and praise. Here is that message from Philippians, chapter 4:
We’ve used the second part of this reading fairly recently here, but it’s the first part, where we are told to rejoice, and pray with thanksgiving that I particularly want to focus on today.
In our weekly in-person service here at the Church of the Open Door, we have built a time into our worship particularly to share the things for which we are grateful right now. We call them “moments of God,” those times when we actually stop to notice that God is active in our lives and in the lives of those around us. We notice and we give thanks. We acknowledge the One who acts with grace in our lives.
Many of us have different practices to remind us to be grateful. Some people have a blessing box where they drop coins every time they encounter something for which to give thanks. Some keep a journal. I belong to an on-line group that posts every day in November something they are grateful for that day. In this past difficult year many members of this group kept the practice up all through the year, because we needed it, not just in November.
All of these are tasks by which we remind ourselves to be grateful and not take our blessings for granted. It is not that we are naïve—we are entirely aware of the troubles of our world. We know there are broken, ugly-hearted people doing horrible things just about everywhere. We know times are especially tough now for many. We know when we are privileged and we know there are way too many who are not.
This has been an especially challenging year in many ways. We all know the issues—Covid, a horrifying number of deaths, drastic climate changes, fires and floods, economic turmoil, skyrocketing prices, empty store shelves—we all know the sad litany of woes, some of which may affect us personally, but all affect many others, somewhere. I saw a meme posted this week that reads: “This is not the year to get everything you want. This is the year to appreciate everything that you have.”
Our practice of gratitude is not simply to celebrate our own blessings. It is to remind us that God’s unending generosity and grace belong to all peoples and we must have the courage to continue to work for justice and peace for all God’s children, doing what we can to make this world something to be grateful for, for everyone.
A daily practice of gratitude is not only good for us spiritually—it is good for us psychologically. When we are not paying attention to all we have and to the goodness that surrounds us, hard times can seem even harder. We can become bitter and angry and hoarding of the goodness we do have ourselves. If we cease to be grateful, it is likely that we will eventually cease to care about others and refuse to share the blessings we have.
A little further on in Philippians Paul adds:
Paul, who was in prison, under a future sentence of death. Who knew what it is to be in need, and what it is to have plenty. Paul knew that the secret of being content in any and every situation is to honestly give thanks.
I have a question for you. Right now, as you are reading this message—what are you grateful for today, right now? Take a moment and think about it.
When you have that answer, then extend the question out a little further—what have you been grateful for this week?
This month? This year?
Some of your answers may be big things, like a family member recovering from a serious illness, or a much needed new job. Some may be smaller, like ice cream for dessert or playing with a new pet. There are no limits, no rules. Our lives are full of blessings—big ones and little ones—gifts of God’s unbounded, unconditional love for us.
Can we not take a few moments to let God know that we notice and that we are grateful? This Thanksgiving week, and every day, can we not tell God “thank you” – and mean it? And rejoice in it?
Our gathering prayer for this week’s service is Psalm 100, and it is a lovely reminder to give thanks:
So today we are doing the reading given for Thanksgiving Day. We’re reading this today because we won’t be gathering here this Thursday, and next Sunday we will be diving straight into Advent season.
The reading, which I’ll get to in a moment, comes from Paul’s letter to the people of the new Christ-community in Philippi, the capitol of ancient Macedonia. Philippi was the first of the European cities in which Paul preached the Good News. It was also the city where Paul’s experience was the happiest, with less of the heavy resistance from Jewish Orthodoxy that dogged him for the rest of his life, and more support for Paul as he spread his teachings across Europe.
Paul loved the people of Philippi and they—the Christian believers--loved him. This is a letter filled with love and joy. It is important, therefore, for us to place it in context and realize that when Paul was writing here, he was actually in a Roman prison. Furthermore, while in some of his other letters written from prison, he sounded very hopeful that he would soon be released, in this one he sounds less certain and writes as if he may well not see them in the flesh again.
So our Thanksgiving reading for today was written by a man in prison, facing the fact that this might well lead to his execution—and sending a message of joy and praise. Here is that message from Philippians, chapter 4:
- Rejoice in the Holy One always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. Our God is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
We’ve used the second part of this reading fairly recently here, but it’s the first part, where we are told to rejoice, and pray with thanksgiving that I particularly want to focus on today.
In our weekly in-person service here at the Church of the Open Door, we have built a time into our worship particularly to share the things for which we are grateful right now. We call them “moments of God,” those times when we actually stop to notice that God is active in our lives and in the lives of those around us. We notice and we give thanks. We acknowledge the One who acts with grace in our lives.
Many of us have different practices to remind us to be grateful. Some people have a blessing box where they drop coins every time they encounter something for which to give thanks. Some keep a journal. I belong to an on-line group that posts every day in November something they are grateful for that day. In this past difficult year many members of this group kept the practice up all through the year, because we needed it, not just in November.
All of these are tasks by which we remind ourselves to be grateful and not take our blessings for granted. It is not that we are naïve—we are entirely aware of the troubles of our world. We know there are broken, ugly-hearted people doing horrible things just about everywhere. We know times are especially tough now for many. We know when we are privileged and we know there are way too many who are not.
This has been an especially challenging year in many ways. We all know the issues—Covid, a horrifying number of deaths, drastic climate changes, fires and floods, economic turmoil, skyrocketing prices, empty store shelves—we all know the sad litany of woes, some of which may affect us personally, but all affect many others, somewhere. I saw a meme posted this week that reads: “This is not the year to get everything you want. This is the year to appreciate everything that you have.”
Our practice of gratitude is not simply to celebrate our own blessings. It is to remind us that God’s unending generosity and grace belong to all peoples and we must have the courage to continue to work for justice and peace for all God’s children, doing what we can to make this world something to be grateful for, for everyone.
A daily practice of gratitude is not only good for us spiritually—it is good for us psychologically. When we are not paying attention to all we have and to the goodness that surrounds us, hard times can seem even harder. We can become bitter and angry and hoarding of the goodness we do have ourselves. If we cease to be grateful, it is likely that we will eventually cease to care about others and refuse to share the blessings we have.
A little further on in Philippians Paul adds:
- I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Paul, who was in prison, under a future sentence of death. Who knew what it is to be in need, and what it is to have plenty. Paul knew that the secret of being content in any and every situation is to honestly give thanks.
I have a question for you. Right now, as you are reading this message—what are you grateful for today, right now? Take a moment and think about it.
When you have that answer, then extend the question out a little further—what have you been grateful for this week?
This month? This year?
Some of your answers may be big things, like a family member recovering from a serious illness, or a much needed new job. Some may be smaller, like ice cream for dessert or playing with a new pet. There are no limits, no rules. Our lives are full of blessings—big ones and little ones—gifts of God’s unbounded, unconditional love for us.
Can we not take a few moments to let God know that we notice and that we are grateful? This Thanksgiving week, and every day, can we not tell God “thank you” – and mean it? And rejoice in it?
Our gathering prayer for this week’s service is Psalm 100, and it is a lovely reminder to give thanks:
Let us praise God,
Bringing a gift of laughter,
singing ourselves into God’s presence.
We know this: God is God.
We are made by God; not the other way around.
We’re God’s people, the ones God cares for.
We enter singing, “Thank you!”
We make ourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank God. Worship God,
for God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.
And we, God's people, give thanks.
Amen.
Amen.
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