Thanksgiving
One of the things that I enjoy as a priest during Thanksgiving week (it is really a week long thing now) is when people ask for Confession before getting on a plane to travel. They jokingly acknowledge that statistically there’s more of a chance of getting into a car accident than a plane crash, but they come to the Sacrament nonetheless. It’s a beautiful and wise habit that lives out the saying, ‘always be ready to go because you never know’.
Taylor Heinecke is the current quarterback of the Washington Commanders. Based on his journey to this point – he was studying for grad school exams this time two years ago – the cliché is often said about him that ‘he plays every game like it’s his last’. It is said by his teammates, coaches, and even media because he really does play that way. Coinciding with the example and adage above, we should live every day like it’s our last. Always be ready to go because you never know.
Giving thanks regularly helps to have a sense of urgency like this. If we are grateful to God habitually, then we appreciate each day and everything good that comes to us each day. (Spoiler alert for our Cross-fit series: the pinnacle of spiritual fitness with regards to suffering is to see the Cross in our lives as a gift for which we are grateful). The more we give thanks and appreciate life, the more we want to take good care of our life. This means protecting our life – soul, body, and mind. We begin to see in our life what God sees and want what He wants for us. This ultimately is Heaven, so we do all that we can to protect the eternal life He’s given us in Christ. As I preached recently, this means to always live in a State of Grace. If this is our perpetual state on earth, it will be our eternal state in heaven. This removes a huge weight of worry from our hearts and helps us to appreciate life on earth even more. So, it leads to more gratitude!
I hope and pray you and your family enjoy Thanksgiving Day (and week!). While this Thursday should be every day in our lives, please especially thank the Lord on turkey day for at least one thing with which He has blessed you.
