HOMILY: 28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 2020
It’s Thanksgiving Day. I have diligently researched three important things in connection with this Canadian century old tradition. The origin. It can be traced from a certain Michael Frobisher who landed safe from England and found the Newfoundland who offered the very first thanksgiving which later enhanced as a celebration for harvest season. Why turkey? Turkey is native to North America and very is commonly raised by farmers which is big enough to feed the whole family. I also found out that it was the welcome gift of the natives to voyagers from England. Why eat? Of course, it is plain and simple, it is a feast. Three things I found, thanksgiving is all about eating, celebrating and giving.
We are now on the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time and the readings that we have are inviting us to reflect on the Spirit of Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving is all about eating. The gospel is all about the parable of the wedding banquet. The King prepared a sumptuous wedding party. Hr had slaughtered oxen and fat calves for the dinner. He sent invitation and wished the wedding banquet to be full. The wedding banquet is actually the prefiguration of the Holy Eucharist. It is the King of kings who prepared. It is the best spiritual food that He prepared which is no other than His only Begotten Son. Eucharist is a Greek word which means thanksgiving. The very first thing to do on this special occasion is to attend the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Thanksgiving is to be in communion to the wellspring of all blessings. Our celebration is incomplete when we just say thank you to the one who gave us everything without embracing Him in our life.
Thanksgiving is celebrating. The Prophet Isaiah said the Lord of Host will make a feast. It is celebrating success. The success that Isaiah is prophesying is the liberation of Israelites from slavery in Egypt. God had made the Eucharist to celebrate Jesus resurrection from the dead. Farmer’s success is bountiful harvest that they were spared from hail, storms and pestilence. However, God is anticipating us with the greatest feast which is the feast in heaven. It is the victory of all people to gain eternal life. No more fear and sacrifice is over because we will be in the presence of God who is the source of all goodness. It will be an endless celebration.
Thanksgiving is all about giving. Saint Paul said, I know what it is to have little and I know how it is to have plenty. Thanksgiving is to thank somebody for giving us something. Thanksgiving is actually a time of giving. I give because I know exactly the struggle when people have nothing. I give because I am happy to give than to receive. Thanksgiving Day is not only about fulfilment because I have plenty but I am happy because of my generosity. This is the Spirit our forefathers are teaching us. Everybody has something to give. Don’t miss this opportunity. Give to the poor, support the food bank. Let us therefore have a great exchange of gifts. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!