the table of plenty

it's about that time of year again. that time of year when families--whether jointed or disjointed, young or old, together or displaced--travel by car, bus or plane to gather around their own table of goodness. they bring their favorite dishes, games and expectations with them and empty out all three over the course of the next 12 hours of watching football, catching up on school/work, and preparing the heartiest meal of the season. for some, thanksgiving is a time of great pleasure and warmth for others it is a day of great heartache and despair. these days, it seems impossible to celebrate this wonderful feast without remembering those who have very little, if anything. we sometimes feel guilty or ashamed that stuffing ourselves with a variety of casseroles, meats, and desserts (only to find ourselves with upset stomachs and bouts of sleepiness) is wrong and gluttonous. while this may be true, i would argue that it is more important to use these familial gatherings to express our "attitude of gratitude" (to steal a cliche from one of my grade school teachers). GRATITUDE, as it is defined in webster's dictionary, is "the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful," which is derived from the Latin root word 'gratus' meaning 'pleasing.' something that is pleasing is likely to be good, true and beautiful. i would further argue that those things in our lives that are pleasing to us (for me: my faith, family and friends), and that we are grateful for should be remembered and experienced this day and every day (ain't that what leftovers are for). please remember and pray especially for those who have no one (or think they have no one) else to pray for them. they are our brothers and sisters too, and they too have a reservation at the table of plenty. i would like to leave you with the following prayer which has been rehearsed by my family so many times that we too often forget the depth and meaning of our gratitude:

Bless us O Lord, for these thy gifts which we are about to (and have) receive(d) through thy bounty (and thy goodness) through Christ, our Lord, Amen.

all you holy men and women pray for us...

another all saint's day has come and gone, except this year I am finally beginning to understand these virtuous (and at times vicious) human beings who knew their God and allowed Him to become such a integral part of their lives. i struggle with this daily, even though i know that i am called to a life of holiness and compassion. as i read more and more about these incredible people, the more i want to become one as well. and isn't that what the Lord is calling us all to be? YES, SAINTS! as troubled and as imperfect as we are, God is asking (pleading) for us to answer His call and join the company of angels and saints in heaven by bringing about the Kingdom of God. a difficult task? for sure. but one that is only for the strong of heart. i would like to be a saint. i try to be one every day. does that mean i'm full of pride? not necessarily. or envy? maybe. or even concupscience? possibly. the fact of the matter is that i want to grow in my relationship with an ever-loving and forgiving Father who wishes to be reunited with His sons and daughters. oh, what's that? what's that you say? there's a dim halo forming around my melon. oh good, because--for a second--i didn't think the big guy was taking me serious!