Reflection in Ordinary Time: Thanksgiving

This weekend in Canada is our Thanksgiving holiday, but part of the weekend -- Saturday, October 10 -- is marked as both World Homeless Day and World Mental Health Day.  

In the midst of a pandemic, with its attendant economic insecurity, political and social unrest; with our restrictions on gathering to celebrate with friends and loved ones; with our mourning those lost to our families and our communities...there is a struggle this year to feel thankful.

But we are here.  There are ways we can help others safely; there are ways to connect and to comfort others safely.

This year, our Thanksgiving will likely bring both laughter and tears.  There will be fond memories and the poignancy of the present moment.  But let's also remember the hope we have through God in Christ.

Many of those in our world who have no permanent shelter also struggle with mental health issues.  COVID-19 has accentuated these struggles all around the globe -- and in this Northern Hemisphere, winter is coming.

"...'I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?   When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?   When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 

 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"  -- Matthew 25:35 - 40 (NIV)

In the UK, there's a program called "Porchlight" that raises funds for the homeless.  At the Cathedral at Canterbury, the heart of the global Anglican Communion, two groups of choral singers have prepared a "Purple for Porchlight" fund-raising video, consisting of two seamlessly united filmings, one of each group.   

As we are thankful, so let us bless others -- however and wherever we are called to do so.