Pastor’s corner

In my family, Thanksgiving was a big deal. Cousins, aunts and uncles, great-aunts and great-uncles and more would all gather at Grandma and Grandpa’s house which smelled like turkey, gravy and stuffing, with a hint of apple and pumpkin pie. The 20-so of us would gather around the large table in the basement, which served its purpose well. Occasionally, on a “big” year, the kids would eat at tables in the other room. There was a clear sense of thankfulness in the air; thankfulness for family, for food, for friendship, for time together. Yes, in our country, Thanksgiving has a long history and it’s about being thankful for all that we have and all that we have been given.

Thanksgiving also has a long history within our faith. Eucharistia is the Greek word for thanksgiving and is the basis for Eucharist, which is another name for Holy Communion. Just like it is for my family (and most others), this celebration of thanks is centered on a meal. We give thanks because Christ is made known and present to us in the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup. And along with Christ, comes his promise of forgiveness and resurrection – that is the making of all things new, including us.

The history of Thanksgiving (or Eucharist) goes much further back than that meal shared between Native Americans and the new immigrants back in 1621. It goes back to that meal shared between Jesus and his 12 disciples on the night in which he was betrayed. When we partake in communion, we stand in almost 2000 years of tradition and practice as we gather for a meal of thanksgiving; of Eucharist; of remembering and of giving thanks for all that God has given us through Christ.

In our culture of consumption and of seemingly never ending budget shortfalls, it has become increasingly difficult to live life with a sense of Thanksgiving. It is so much easier to focus on what we lack instead of what we have and have been given. However, our central worship act – that is to hear God’s word to us (and for us) and receive Christ’s body and blood – centers us on a life lived out of Eucharist. In this way (as well as many others) God is working to overcome the sense of fear and despair so present within our world with that of hope and thanksgiving!

Pastor Phil Misner,

Peace Lutheran Church, Colfax

Trinity Lutheran Church, Endicott