Today is November 24 and the holiday of Thanksgiving here in the United States of America. If you want to know more about the Thanksgiving holiday, its origin, traditions, and forms of celebration, I would encourage you to look it up online.

The Thanksgiving holiday is a time when family and friends gather together, however, it’s more than just eating turkey, gathering with family around a table, and watching football on television.

As Catholics, we are able to celebrate “thanksgiving” every day. Everyday we can go to Mass and receive Our Lord Jesus Christ – body, blood, soul, and divinity. The word Eucharist comes from the Latin term, eucharistia, which means “thanksgiving.” Turkey might be good to eat, but it will never provide eternal life. Only Jesus Christ in Sacrament of all Sacraments can do that.

Today’s blog is to remind all of us that we must give thanks to God. All that we have comes from Him. He is our provider. When He answers your prayer…Give Him thanks! Don’t forget to Thank Him for answering that prayer. When we ask someone for a cup of coffee, we say thank you. So too must we thank God when he provides for us something we requested from Him.

The great 20th century Catholic writer, G.K. Chesterton, once said, “Nothing taken for granted; everything received with gratitude; everything passed on with grace.”

This year, I am thankful for my family (my Mom, my sister, my brother-in-law, my niece and nephew, and my cousins). I am thankful for having a job that I love where I can teach many people on a daily basis about Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church. I am thankful for having a roof over my head and the ability to build up that home. I am thankful to my coworkers and all the people in my life who I get to interact with on a daily basis.

What are you thankful for this year (and let’s avoid politics)? Share with us in the comment box.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!