A man went into a crowded restaurant to have a meal. As he sat down and was about to begin his meal, another man approached and asked if he could join him. “Be my guest,” replied the man who was seated. Then, as was his custom, he bowed his head in prayer. When he opened his eyes, the invited guest asked, “Do you have a headache?” Perplexed, the man replied, “No, I don’t.” The invited guest continued, “Is something wrong with your food?” This time, the man explained, “No, I was simply thanking God as I always do before I eat.” The invited guest got visibly upset and retorted, “Oh, you’re one of those, are you? Well, I want you to know that I never give thanks. I earn my money by the sweat of my brow and I don’t have to give thanks to anybody when I eat. I just start right in!”

Hoisting his frame back on his chair, the man who said the blessing replied, “Yes, you’re just like my dog. That’s what he does.”

There are many people in our society today who behave like the invited guest at the table. Such people believe they have earned every good that comes their way and, therefore, do not need to thank God or anyone else for that matter. They forget that the blessings they have are God’s blessings before they become theirs.

What did anyone do to merit being born when some were never born or were even aborted? How much did you do to deserve loving parents when many people never had any? What did you do to have eyes to see, ears to hear, a tongue to speak, feet to walk, when so many people are crippled? How much did you pay God to make you healthy and sound? Think of the many wonderful teachers, friends and relations you have had and that you still have and for whom you need to be thankful.

We take these blessings for granted, don’t we? If the stars came out only once a year would you not stay up all night to watch them? We have seen the stars so often that we take them for granted too. How easily we grow accustomed to our blessings and forget to give thanks for them.

Thanksgiving has two aspects: Thanks and Giving. You cannot have one without the other.

1. Being thankful is good for the soul for it is a recognition that everything we have in life is a gift. Take time to stand and stare and be thankful for the little miracles of life. Be thankful every day when you rise in the morning until you go to bed at night. Be thankful for the fresh morning breeze, the languid heat of the sun, the fresh smell of roses, the little critters playing in the trees, the comfort of family and friends, the companionship of your adorable pets, and the fluffy white snow of winter.
2. Giving is an outward expression of our thanks to others. The native American Indians understood this well when they gave the fruits of their harvest to the early pilgrims when they were lost in a strange land. The pilgrims did not forget, but returned the gesture of giving at the first Thanksgiving Feast. There are so many ways we can give back. We can give give back by reaching out, with compassion, to the poor and the vulnerable who do not have the means we have in life. Thanksgiving is about offering thanks , and giving.

Let us never forget that all of life is a blessing for which we should be thankful and willing to share with others.

—Fr. Hugh Duffy