THE GREATEST GIFT
So many good souls knew the saving presence of Christ
Jesus with them in all circumstances. Jesus offers us safety in the face of
threats and He promises that not a hair on our heads will perish.
Today, in Luke's Gospel,
we read that when particular signs begin to happen, we are to stand erect and
raise our heads because our redemption is at hand. Spiritual blindness can keep
us from recognizing the obvious signs of hurt, anger and even darkness that
might be approaching us. This can bring disaster in our lives if we refuse to
heed God's word or accept His grace and salvation, which are available for all
of us. Jesus is completely honest when He tells His disciples what it will cost
them to follow Him faithfully. He promises that He will never leave them, or
us, alone even in times of tribulation.
The saints and martyrs
who underwent torment and death made their prisons a temple of praise and their
scaffolds a throne to the glory of God. So many good souls knew the saving
presence of Christ Jesus with them in all circumstances. Jesus offers us safety
in the face of threats and He promises that not a hair on our heads will
perish.
Today, in the United States,
we also celebrate Thanksgiving Day. This is a time to give thanks for all God
gives us in our nation and our lives. We would like to think that our nation is
deeply aware of its "gifted" status, and that we give due thanks to
our Creator for the riches of natural resources, our history, and the
brilliance of human achievements that have made us a great nation under God.
The greatest gift we should recognize and be most grateful for in our lives, a
gift which no one can take from us, is our redemption through the Precious
Blood of Jesus. It was shed on the Cross, and through His Passion we were
adopted and became Children of God, our Father.
In the Responsorial
Psalm we acclaim, "Sing joyfully to the Lord...serve the Lord with
gladness; come before Him with joyful gladness" (Ps 100:2). Yes, we have a
lot to be thankful for in our lives!