Thanksgiving, 2024

One point that this gospel passage brings to mind is that Jesus cares very much that we are a part of community.

Jesus commanded the lepers, who were not yet cleansed, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” 


Why? What priest? What does that mean? 


Well, if someone had leprosy, they were forced to live outside the community; even forced to announce their presence if they were walking around so that people could get away from them.


They were forced to live without having any community support except from other lepers and those who would show them any kind of charity.


But, if someone were to be healed from leprosy, the Old Testament prescribed that the leper show themself to the priest who would examine their skin and, if the leprosy was gone, the person was restored to community life and to the worshiping community.


So, the first thing Jesus tells the lepers to do, because he knows they are going to be healed, is to do what they need to do to become reunited with the community.


So, obviously, being part of community was extremely important to Jesus. 


…What we do on Thanksgiving is highlight the community we are part of.


We gather at a table with people we are closest with in our lives and we share a meal, which is a form of intimacy that we don’t share with every person. 


And, whether you personally have a large group of friends or family members, or not, you have a community here in the Catholic Church. 


We gather here to share a meal of the highest importance; far more important than a very human but beautiful meal that we share at Thanksgiving. Because the meal we share here is a precursor to the eternal meal or banquet that we will be sharing together in Heaven.


…The godfather my cousin chose for her baby got a glimpse of this heavenly banquet. Before he was chosen to be a godfather, he was agnostic; didn’t know if he believed in God or not. And he went in for a very serious neck surgery. And as soon as he went under the anesthesia, he immediately appeared in this spectacularly beautiful place. He remembers the grass between his toes, and these two men in robes taking him on a tour. And, during this tour, he was brought to this extremely long table with so many of his deceased relatives. And they were so happy for him to be there.


After waking up from the surgery, knew what he experienced was real. And now is a practicing Catholic.


…Jesus said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life…For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in [them].”


Friends, whether you have a huge family, a small family, or no family, your brother is Jesus and he is so deeply in love with you. He himself is often left alone; he knows what it feels like. And he rejoices when you join him at his table here, because it means you will be received at his table in Heaven.



Click link to see Scripture readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112824-thanksgiving.cfm


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