Thanksgiving Day

As we in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving Day, the Church offers these readings: Sirach 50:22-24 ("And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth"), 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, and Luke 17:11-19. The Responsorial Psalm offered is Psalm 145 (Psalm 145:2-11).

The Gospel reading is as follows:

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten persons with leprosy met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.”

As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

Reflections on this day and on these readings:

Msgr. Charles Pope: How to Give Adequate Thanks to God. A Meditation on Thanksgiving Day (21 NOV 12)

Catholic Online: Fr. Randy Sly: Thanksgiving and Our Roots of Faith (22 NOV 12)

Catholic Home & Garden: A Catholic Thanksgiving

American Catholic: Thanksgiving Prayers

The Deacon's Bench: How Lincoln gave thanks: his proclamation