As we begin the advent season, how can we not contemplate Mary’s journey in the final days of her pregnancy. Her journey mirrors ours as we prepare our hearts for Christmas. Take some time today to reflect on what sacred longings are in your heart. What are the joys you long for?
What are the joys you are currently experiencing? How do I maintain the balance and lean towards gratitude during uncertain times not falling into the spiral of fear?
Lord, every day can be our yes, our Fiat, like Mary allowing your love to be born in our heart. Help me say yes today out of love for you. Amen
A beautiful prayer for our Thanksgiving meal can express gratitude for the blessings we have received.
Heavenly Father,
We gather together today to give You thanks for the many blessings You have bestowed upon us. We thank You for this meal, for the hands that prepared it, and for the love that surrounds us.
As we share this food, may we also share our love and kindness with one another. Bless our time together, and may it strengthen our bonds as family and friends.
This past Sunday, we celebrated Christ the King and ended the liturgical year. Who is Christ for you? Is he the sovereign king that you cherish and obey when times are only good? We are called to let him sit on the throne of our heart always and we can do this through the lens of gratitude. I love this quote: gratitude is the memory of the heart – St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier. Let us remember today and always!
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17
Thank you Lord, in every task, big or small, you draw me to do it with a thankful heart. Let me listen to your voice that encourages me to see every moment as an opportunity to action and give thanks. Amen
Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits and blessings which you have given me, for all the pains and insults which you have borne for me. Merciful Friend, Brother and Redeemer, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen
Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude to God, our Creator and Provider, whose guidance and care go before us… and whose love is with us forever.
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the changes, to remember that we, too, grow and change from one season of life to another.
Thanksgiving is a time of changing seasons, when leaves turn golden in Autumn’s wake and apples are crisp in the first chill breezes of fall.
Let us remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving. As we see the beauty of Autumn, let us acknowledge the many blessings which are ours… let us think of our families and friends.. and let us give thanks in our hearts.
What if remembering others is the way God shows his face to you throughout the day?
O God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry; When I have work, help me to remember the jobless; When I have a home, help me to remember those who have no home at all; When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer, And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency; bestir my compassion, and be concerned enough to help; By word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Let us all give thanks on this day and foster a grateful and loving heart:
For the expanding grandeur of creation, world’s known and unknown, galaxies beyond galaxies, filling us with awe and challenging our imaginations: We give thanks on this day. For this fragile planet earth, its times and tides, its sunsets and seasons: We give thanks on this day. For the joy of human life, its wonders and surprises, its hopes and achievements: We give thanks on this day. For our human community, our common past and future hope, our oneness transcending all separation, our capacity to work for peace and justice in the midst of hostility and oppression: We give thanks on this day. For high hopes and noble causes, for faith without fanaticism, for understanding of views not shared: We give thanks on this day. For all who have labored and suffered for a fairer world, who have lived so that others might live in dignity and freedom: We give thanks on this day. For human liberty and sacred rites; for opportunities to change and grow, to affirm and choose: We give thanks on this day. We pray that we may live not by our fears but by our hopes, not by our words but by our deeds. We give thanks on this day.
