Many years ago, a group of persecuted people boarded a ship faraway and sought refuge in a new land.
The boat was not that big and the group was an assortment of people from across the country. They were tired of the persecution and willing to risk it all for a new life. After many, many days at sea, they finally arrived in the new territory not knowing their reception and what kind of life they would live, if they survived.
Their boat was not attacked by pirates or locals. Their boat was not dragged off to a deserted island. They were not sprayed by water cannons. They were not attacked by angry protestors. They were able to build shelters and some were able to survive the winter and diseases in a weakened condition. Local people helped them catch fish and grow crops.
After a fall harvest, they shared a meal together celebrating their new friendship and the abundance of the land.
Many countries are built by immigrants and refugees. You are probably a descendant of one. There were hardships but life became better. Some of us experienced discrimination but life here was better than the old country where the chances of persecution, war, famine, insecurity, poverty, joblessness, starvation, sickness and early death were always greater. We have much to be thankful for.
St. Paul gives this advice, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).
The temptation in an age of entitlement is to do just the opposite - to grumble, be obsessed with material things and be unthankful. St. Paul will say, "For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred" (II Timothy 3:2). You only have to travel and see that there are places much worse than ours.
Why me? Why am I living here and not in a refugee camp?
Some people call it pure luck or a fortunate coincidence of time, place and chance. Some call it Providence. "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit" (John 15:16).
So when you're chomping down on that turkey drumstick this Thanksgiving, give thanks for all the things we have been blessed with.
