My thoughts turn to a little phrase that is found in the Preface for weekday Masses. It goes like this: “You [God] have no need of our praise, yet our thanksgiving is itself Your gift … .” Yes, God already has everything. There is nothing we can give Him that would enlarge His greatness and His being. However, we participate in a world in which everything is a gift to us, given by God, Who has deemed everything He created to be “good” and “very good.”

So, during these two months, here is a brief litany of things, persons, and events for which I am grateful to God.

1. All Saints

Preceded by Halloween (All Hallow’s Eve), we, as a Christian community, celebrate all who have made it “home” to be with the Lord. These are the saints whose lives have let the light of Christ shine through them. Some are known by name. Others remain hidden. Yet, as Christians, we look up to them because they are the ones who have heard the Lord’s call: “Follow Me!” And they did so! And now, through the Lord’s mercy, they share in perpetual light and are known as “Saints.” I thank You, Lord, for providing these witnesses of faith, hope, and love, by which we, too, can long for eternity in our hearts.

2. All Souls

Immediately following All Saints, we commemorate all those who are preparing to receive the totality of God’s great merciful embrace of welcome to eternal life through the time of purgation to cleanse any residue of sin. They are those who have died and yet have their sights on God’s mercy. We, too, long for eternity! I thank You, Lord, for providing an opportunity to see You as You are, unencumbered by my own doubts, hesitations, sins, and failings. I pray that they be purged from my soul so that I can behold Your beatitude with all of my being.

3. Advent

As we close out the liturgical year, a new one commences shortly after Thanksgiving. It is a short season that speaks of the coming of the Lord — at the end of time and into our world at Christmas. The darkness that we experience in our hemisphere during this season leaves us isolated and cold, with souls searching. That waiting, characterized by the great prophet Isaiah, John the Baptist, and our Mother Mary, especially under the titles of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe, helps us to leave the darkness behind and look for the One that we, indeed the entire world, are waiting for: Jesus Christ! I thank You, Lord, for the time of great expectation. Above all, it is not an idle expectation, we know the object of our longing and expectation is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, Whom You sent among us so that we could know You personally. Thank You, Lord, for this great gift.

4. Christmas

The great feast of Christmas is about the birth of a Child in Bethlehem on that holy and silent night. We don’t have to look up to the heavens in search of something or someone beyond our reach. No! Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, so we could know God in-person, face-to-face, and, indeed, so we could know of God’s love for all humanity. What a gift! I thank You, Lord, for Your birth in our world. Thank You for Your ministry among us. Thank You for Your death and resurrection.     It began with the Incarnation and Christmas. What’s more, we commemorate it as a Church community into the new year.     Thank You, Lord, for drawing close to us!

5. Thanksgiving

Of course, our national celebration of Thanksgiving is, indeed, a reminder of our family, our country, its history, and its potential for greatness, “from sea to shining sea.” Thanks for the gifts of life, of family, of country, and the ability to draw close to each other, especially in times of great national distress. For this, we thank You, dear Lord! You have provided so much for us. Through our own generosity, may we provide for one another so that we can see You in each person we meet.

The simple words of the Preface are the lens through which we celebrate November and December: “You have no need of our praise, yet our thanksgiving is itself Your gift … .” 

As I wish you every blessing during these two very special months of November and December, I pray that we may recognize our blessings and truly become thankful people for every good gift.