Says our dearest Harper, "Welcome in, Everybody.
Readings:
Daniel 12, 1-3, In those day, I, Daniel, heard the word of the Lord
Psalm 16, You are my inheritance, O Lord
1 Corinthians 1, 3-9, I give thanks (selection from Thanksgiving Day)
Mark 13, 24-32, Learn a lesson from the fig tree.
With Buddy reading the blessing of the candles, Emma lights the candles.
Thanksgiving History: Everyone knows about the first Thanksgiving in 1602 with the Pilgrims and the Indians eating together, the Mayflower, and Plymouth Rock. Here are 5 facts that people do not hear about usually.
- When did Thanksgiving begin? Our ancestors have celebrated end of harvest feasts of gratitude for centuries. Lincoln first focused on a national feast; FDR established the national holiday in 1941.
Michelle with her dad, Gil.
- The pilgrims did not know they were pilgrims. They called themselves saints, and non-saints were called strangers. The word pilgrim came along in the 18 hundreds, 2 centuries later. They were not even Puritans, but separatists. They split off from the Church of England, old Henry VIII's church, and the Puritans did not split off.
- The Separatists did not come to establish religious freedom. They came for religious freedom for their religion and only their religion. Like the Catholic Church, the Separatists demanded everyone belong to their program. Failure to conform could result in execution, ala inquisition.
And the Father will Dance, One of our most favorite hymns led by Ben.
- The Mayflower returned to England, was torn apart, and its beams were used to build a barn in Buckinghamshire (just north of London & east of Oxford).
- How did the Indians & Separatists communicate? The Indians were Algonquians & one of them, Squanto had actually lived in Briton some years. He returned to his tribe and taught his friend, Samoset English. It was Samoset who communicated with the Separatists, & the Indians taught them to raise corn, to fish, and to hunt. In the first winter half of the 100 Separatists died before the Indians taught them how to survive.
Elevation time.
Thanksgiving
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, my most favorite celebration, I would like to talk about blessings. Excuse me for the personal focus. It is my annual assessment. Rosemary & I do this together more toward the end of the year, but initially I put together my own list.
As an aside, this Tuesday we celebrate the 26th anniversary of the 6 Jesuits killed in the patio of their residence of their university, UCA, University of Central America, El Salvador.
Offertory with Mike, John, and Connie.
Thanksgiving
Despite the fact that Rosemary says, when she hears that I want to give a Thanksgiving homily this Sunday, “Not another thanksgiving homily.” I promise her that won’t repeat the Big 3 Blessings in my life. Like entering the Jesuits, spending 10 years in East Africa, and marrying her.
Instead, I have Ragbrai. The ride across Iowa in July. You have heard me talk about this event on numerous occasions. To me this is an extraordinary event, some 30 thousand riders, 400-500 miles from the Missouri River to the Mississippi.
Saturday night wedding with Christi and Steve.
I have my favorite vendor, the Mennonite community, serving home made pie slices and a big bowl of vanilla ice cream. One flavor of ice cream, a dozen flavors of pie, which the are baking right there on the edge of the road. Like in October we took an ocean cruise in the North Atlantic, starting in Bergen, Switzerland, and continuing through Amsterdam and Portsmouth, England through the Straights of Gibraltar to Barcelona, Spain.
One of the most moving experiences was taking a bus from Bruge, Belgium to the First World War battle lines at Ypres. This was to be the war to end all wars.
Away they go on a new journey in life.
Thirdly, and this is the best year after year. This community, you people. Like what community could you find who would welcome with open arms a crazy woman who wants to tell us about her ancestors who came over on the Mayflower. Moreover, we loved the presentation, complete with singing and a costume change.
These are just three of my blessings this year. What are three of yours.
Even big kids get to play with the toys, as long as the kids don't see them