Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world.”
As our Savior and Redeemer, our Teacher and Shepherd, and King of the Universe, Jesus would concur with the following thought, “He is happiest, be he king or peasant, whom finds peace in his home (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe).”It was Jesus, the King of the Universe who promised and encouraged us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”    
With Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation back in October, 1863, Thanksgiving became a national holiday.  And for the most part, a holy day without the usual trappings of commercialism, to pause for the “Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.”  We are not alone as a nation to pause in Thanksgiving. Canada celebrates Thanksgiving in October; Liberia in Western Africa pause for Thanksgiving on the first Thursday in November; Santa Lucia too commemorates Thanksgiving.  England celebrates Harvest Festival in September and October; Germany, Austria, and Switzerland celebrate Erntedankfest, or "harvest festival of thanks" in early October; in Japan the Labor Thanksgiving Day, “Kilroy Kansa no Hi,” falls toward the end of November; and in Italy the Feast of Thanksgiving—La Festa del Ringraziamento—is a religious holiday that gives thanks to the saints for the completion of harvest.  
Reflect on the two straightforward questions: Do I see all God has done for me?  Do I see His abundance of mercy alive in my life?  If we struggle with seeing all the true and abundant blessings from God, and humbly admit so, we will have taken the first step to seeing more clearly the many blessings bestowed, and nurturing a sincere gratitude in our daily lives. 
Thomas Merton, the Trappist monk of Our Lady of Gethsemane Abbey, Kentucky,  put it this way: “To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us – and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude, therefore, takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.” Advent begins next Sunday, December 1st, in the midst of limited daylight, colder temps, possibilities of snow, and the increasing activities that draw us in different directions.  Within the four short weeks of Advent, “this powerful liturgical season that we are beginning, is the invitation for us to pause in silence to understand a presence. It is an invitation to understand that the individual events of the day are hints that God is giving us, signs of the attention he has for each one of us (Pope Benedict XVI).”  A time of preparation for the holy day of Christmas, yes, but more importantly, the second coming of Christ—which is beyond our prediction—an openness for the renewal, the coming of Christ again within our hearts and very souls that the distractions, complications, and temptations of the world have compromised our Christian faith.  Our Sacrament of Reconciliation offered before the Saturday evening Mass in Boone, and  the Sunday morning Mass in Madrid, is likewise offered after the 10:00 Mass in Boone.  During Advent we will supplement these times with our Communal Advent Reconciliation Service on Sunday, December 8th: 1:00pm at Sacred Heart Church and 3:00pm at St. Malachy Church.  In addition, I will hear confessions prior to the weekday Masses in Boone and Madrid.  Regardless of the sin, God truly desires to forgive us, to heal our souls, if our desire is sincere and honest.  A thought provoking personal examination may include the following:  Loving God, I come to you with the noises of the world seeking the humility and the calmness to reflect on my efforts to be a faithful disciple. When have I failed to hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit?   When have I listened to my selfish desires instead of the needs of the hurting people around me? When have I failed to acknowledge personal responsibility for my actions? When have I chosen to dwell on past hurts rather than to accept new opportunities to do God’s will? When have I failed to acknowledge my dependence on God? When have I failed to acknowledge my dependence on one another? I want to extend my gratitude to the parents of the second graders who will receive their First Reconciliation this Sunday.  Thank you for sharing the blessing of our Catholic-Christian faith in your homes, within the prayers you share together, and in our Eucharist at Mass. Faith is a blessing that will always persevere through the years, a compass to guide our daily path and relationships. On this Sunday I invite parents to likewise receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, not just as an example, but an opportunity for healing and hope.  Thank you parents for sharing your faith. Eternal rest grant upon your servant, Mary Jo Wickman, O Lord.  Her voice as a cantor and ability playing guitar in church and elsewhere were a blessing, highlighting the beautiful music of those who continue to sing and play instruments for the dignity of our Eucharist, all directed by Monica.    
Blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving, 
Fr. Tim 
FYI:  “Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” (Charles Dickens) 
 
Thanksgiving Masses: Wednesday, 5:30/St. Malachy; 8:00am/Sacred Heart; 9:15am/St. John’s.