Views from the Pews – Proper 23 – Sunday, October 13, 2024

Brothers & Sisters,

 The Church of the Transfiguration celebrates its Harvest Festival today, and this provides all of us with another opportunity to reflect on the central place that thanksgiving should occupy in the life of every Christian.   We have to admit that there are so many storms raging about us in our nation and in our world, that it is much easier to complain about our troubles than to give thanks for our blessings. 

How can it be possible in the light of all the problems and challenges that we face each day  to follow Paul’s advice as stated in the following texts? “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6).  Or similarly, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Let us consider these simple thoughts as possible answers to the question we posed. 

1. Thanksgiving does not focus on our circumstances but on our God.  To give thanks then is an expression of our confidence in God. (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
2. Thanksgiving springs from a spirit of contentment.  Think of Paul’s statement, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (Philippians 4:12)
3. Thanksgiving expresses itself in a spirit of generosity.  Like the woman with the jar of ointment, or the widow with the mite, a thankful heart will always be a generous heart. There is no thanks without giving
4. The generosity in thanksgiving is dependent on the removal of anxiety.  Anxiety leads us to store up treasures on earth, to build bigger barns.  Generosity leads us to store up treasures in heaven.

May God grant us in these troubled times, glad and generous hearts, free from all anxieties and fears.

Contributed