A Message of Thanksgiving - November 2008
John Michael Talbot

Peace and Good in Christ!

Thanksgiving is both a secular and religious celebration in our country. Traditionally it goes back the celebration of the Pilgrims and Native Americans after a particularly harsh beginning in the Pilgrim’s new colony. The weather had been harsh, and sickness had ravaged them. The Native Americans were there to help as friends. The tensions between the new settlers and the Native Americans would become serious as more and more colonists from the Old World invaded their land up and down the American coast. The Pilgrims themselves were escaping religious persecution by the Anglican policies of Britain. They wanted a place where they could freely worship God. Only later did it become apparent that the same people who sought religious freedom could abuse it through further religious intolerance.

We have a mixed blessing at Thanksgiving this year, yet we gather to thank God for our successes, and our trials, those past, and yet to come. We do this because God is a good God, and a God of love. What are some of our blessings and challenges this year?

First, we can thank God for the election of the first African American President of the United States of America, Barack Obama. The monumental significance of this event is overwhelming whether one supported his campaign or not. Founding fathers such as John Adams believed that slavery and racism were sins that marred the purity of our national beginnings. Some have called this the “original sin” of America. The Catholic Church of those times was actually quite outspoken in her defense of the belief that Africans were human beings that deserved the basic human right of complete equality before God and in law. Most of the western world did not agree and in our own country, decades of abuse, violence, and tragedy followed. Dr. King dreamed his dream of complete equality and mutual tolerance and love between all races, as did many of his supporters. Today, with this election, we have taken a monumental national step to atone for this national sin. It is something for which we can be profoundly grateful to God. It moves me most deeply.

We also have much to mourn. The economy of the world is in crisis. It threatens to grow worse before it gets better. Panic is not helpful, but realism is called for. Financial institutions assure us that long-term investments for the young and middle aged are probably o.k.; however, the elderly may suffer as savings and investment plans fail. Likewise, unemployment will likely continue to rise, even after rises in recent years. Many will be in need. This will not go away anytime soon. We must learn to live with it. Those who have will have to help those who have not. This too is a something for which we can be grateful.

Stories my parents told me come to mind about the dust bowl and Great Depression. My mother was a preacher’s kid. My grandfather took care of the poor, and was a poor itinerant evangelist and church founder in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. They were often paid in those days with chickens and eggs rather than with money, but they got by. They always shared with others, and defended those of whom looters and robbers took advantage. All of this made them more compassionate. It also made them extremely grateful for what they actually had. This gift lasted them throughout their lives.

We also continue in a time of war. In war, however just or unjust, innocent people always die and many suffer in most terrible ways. We cannot help but feel deep grief for this human suffering. We continue to pray for a speedy resolution of the War in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This attitude of thankfulness happens on two levels. The first is objective. It looks at blessings, challenges, and hopeful outcomes, and gives thanks because of these ideas. The second is much deeper, and more profound. Here we learn to let go of our deep-seated ego and pride, our desire to “get things our way.” In Christianity, we call this “dying with Christ,” or dying to the “old self.” It is the “way of the cross”. We do this in prayer, meditation, and daily living. After years of practice, and with Divine grace, we finally come to a place of pure contemplation and peace. Once here one becomes profoundly grateful for all in life, the struggles as well as the victories. We also learn that it is in the little things of life that we find life’s richness; the laughter of a child, the friendship of a longtime comrade or companion, the wisdom of an elderly mentor or friend, the beauty of creation, and especially wildlife. When we really let go of ourselves, life becomes very good, even in its heartaches and challenges. All bitterness and anger seem to pass away.

These are just a few of the things that face us this year. While perhaps not particularly profound, these things are close to my mind and heart at this time. For an African American president, the most threatened global economy since the Great Depression, and the War in Iraq; we give thanks, for both the good and bad, for “all things work together for the good of those called according to His purpose.” This does not mean that we call “good evil and evil good,” as said Isaiah the Prophet. It does mean that we realize that there are lessons to learn in all things for those who walk through this life with faith, hope, and charity, rather than with doubt, sadness, and despair. One leads us on to better things; the other just grinds us deeper and deeper into the dust. One builds up; the other tears down. The greatest lesson is in really letting go of ourselves and in becoming people who live the self-emptying love of Christ that always pours itself out for God and for others.

This Thanksgiving let us be grateful for all that comes our way, and be among those who build a better world in Christ!

In Jesus,
John Michael Talbot
John Michael Talbot
Founder and Spiritual Father
The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage