November 07 Kandili Article
“O gives thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast over endures forever.”
(Psalm 118:1)
We have so much to be thankful for. It is more than a little ironic that this is the only American holiday dedicated to thanking God. We know of its meaningful historic origins of Native Americans and Pilgrims sharing together the new harvest for the first time in thanksgiving to God. We also know how this country has now become home, a few short centuries later to people from throughout the European, Asian and African continents, amongst others, of a variety of faith and cultural backgrounds. Some are respectfully focused on thanking God. Others would rather not hear God’s name mentioned. Nevertheless, here we are with a superabundance of blessings.
Greatest of these blessings is God’s unconditional love for us. To be Christian and Orthodox allows us to know God as the Unimaginable One who is above us – our Father; the Ever-Present One who is with us – the Son; and the Graceful One who is within us – The Holy Spirit. To be Christian and Orthodox allows us to share in this LOVE with the community of Saints, the Church Triumphantthe Holy Ones in God’s Presence and the Church Militant, our brothers and sisters in this life. We share in love with the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, St. Catherine the Great Martyr, the great Hierarchs and clergy, the Martyrs, the Blessed Ascetics, the Angelic Hosts and our love ones in the next world and in the present world – we share in LOVE also with those not of our faith – with our fellow human beings, of our own nation and the entire world.
This Thanksgiving, let’s take advantage of the rare opportunity of a national Holiday that focuses on faith offering of thanksgiving to God and celebrate the bounty of His blessings in our life. Have a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving!
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12)With our Lord’s blessings,
Father Lou