Meditation for November 21, 2007

From The Rev. Peter Munson

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

 

Thankful From A-Z

 

A prominent feature of our worship - every single time we gather together - is giving thanks to God for all of His many blessings.  One word we have from Greek which we use in the Episcopal tradition to describe Holy Communion is "eucharist", which means thanksgiving.  As we get ready to celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving, I am reminded that thanksgiving is a posture, a stance, a discipline - an approach we can carry with us through our daily lives.  Paul says to the Thessalonians, "Give thanks in all circumstances..."  The truth is this:  there is always something to be thankful for, no matter what our circumstances happen to be.  Here are just some of the things that I am thankful for, from A to Z.

 

 

For the ALTAR GUILD members at St. Ambrose - those people who work behind the scenes to set up for every Sunday morning service, and many other special services.  They faithfully "set the table" for Holy Communion, and in the process they set the stage for all of us to worship.  And after worship is over, they clean it all up, and get things ready for the next service.

 

For THE BIBLE.  How impoverished my life and our lives would be without the Holy Scriptures! And for BOOKS, other BELIEVERS, BEACHES, and BASEBALL.

 

For CHURCH COMMUNITIES.  How impoverished my life would be without all these communities that have formed me and continue to form me!  And for CHILDREN and CHALLENGES and COLORADO, and for all CREATION and for CREATIVE PEOPLE and for CHOCOLATE.

 

For DADS and MOMS.  For parents who love their children and make all the necessary sacrifices, who enjoy their children and listen to them and see them and encourage them and offer an example of what it means to be loving and faithful and honest.  And for DIPPERS, fun birds to watch in the high mountain streams of Colorado!  And for our DAILY BREAD.

 

For ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND ECOLOGISTS, and for all those who remind us that we are called to be faithful stewards of "this fragile earth, our island home." (The Book of Common Prayer, p.370)

 

For all FAITHFUL PEOPLE, and how they encourage us in our faith.  And for FAMILY and FRIENDS.

 

For GOD and for God's abundant GRACE.  Where would we be without God and grace?  And for GENEROUS PEOPLE.

 

For the guidance and power and energy and wisdom of the HOLY SPIRIT.  And for HANNAH, my daughter.  And for HOMES that nurture us and provide us with a safe place where we can laugh, grow, relax, and be with family and friends.

 

For INK, and for all the ways it enables us to communicate with others.

 

For JESUS - for his life and teachings, his example, his faithfulness even unto death, and for his resurrection and transforming presence in our lives today.  And for JULIA, the greatest gift - by far - that God has ever given me.

 

For people who are KIND.  For KAPUT - it's just a funny word that my parents used to use.

 

For LISTENERS.  There is nothing quite like being really, really listened to!  And for all deeds of LOVE.

 

For MOUNTAINS (and lakes and streams), for MUSIC, and for MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

 

For NATURE.  How impoverished our lives would be without it!  And for those who work to preserve it.  And for NEIGHBORS who are quick to help with house projects when asked.

 

For OPPORTUNITIES to learn and grow.

 

For PEACEMAKERS ("Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9).  For the 190,000 people who have served as PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS since 1961, respresenting our country in 139 other countries, and for the 8,079 PCV's who currently serve in 74 countries.

 

For opportunities for QUIET, solitude, rest, and renewal.

 

For the RESURRECTION OF JESUS, and how that changes everything!  And for ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

 

For all the SAINTS, those living and those who have departed this life.  And for SPIRITUAL MENTORS.  And for our SEXUALITY.

 

For TEACHERS.  Where would we be without them?  And for TROY TULOWITZKI, who brought a whole new energy and passion to the Colorado Rockies this year, and helped transform his teammates in the process, leading them to new heights and a wonderful season.  (And why wasn't he voted Rookie of the Year?)

 

For UNDERSTANDING, and for all those who seek to understand, rather than jumping to conclusions, say, or remaining stuck in modes that involve judging, criticizing, or being prejudiced.

 

For all VOLUNTEERS - for those loving servants who are as committed to the well-being of others as they are to their own well-being.

 

For opportunities to WORSHIP and to be inspired by the living God.  For WORDS (especially the LIVING WORD), for good WRITERS, and for WATER.

 

For XRAYS and for all advances in medicine that improve our quality of life.

 

For YMCAs, especially the YMCA  of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado and Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA in Granby, Colorado.

 

For ZACH, my son.

 

 

I'm sure you have your own list, too.  We could go on and on, couldn't we?  We owe all our thanks to God, it seems to me.  "Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights..." (James 1:17)

 

Happy Thanksgiving!