Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States. It started in the early days of the country, when people gave thanks to God for the harvest. The Pilgrims in Plymouth celebrated one of the first Thanksgivings in 1621. Over time, this tradition spread across the country. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving an official holiday.

Today, people celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends. It is a time for gathering around a table and sharing a big meal. The meal usually includes turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Many families use this time to reflect on the things they are grateful for. It is a day focused on giving thanks for blessings, big and small.

For Catholics, gratitude is an important part of life. The Bible teaches us to always give thanks to God. We are taught to be thankful not only for good things but also in difficult times. Being thankful is more than just saying “thank you.” It is recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God. Gratitude helps us see God’s goodness in our lives every day.

Thanksgiving, then, is a good time for Catholics to practice this attitude of thankfulness. It reminds us to thank God for the blessings we often take for granted—our food, our family, and our faith. For Catholics, Thanksgiving is not just about a meal. It is about seeing God’s hand in our lives and giving Him thanks in everything.

Gratitude is very important in the Catholic faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2638) says that every Christian prayer should include thanksgiving. This means we should thank God at all times, not just when things are going well. God gives us every good thing. Even in hard times, we can find reasons to be grateful because God is always with us.

Many saints also taught about gratitude. St. Paul, in his letters, often wrote about giving thanks. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, he says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” St. Paul reminds us that gratitude is not just a feeling but a choice. No matter what is happening, we are called to thank God. Saints like St. Teresa of Avila and St. Francis of Assisi also showed this in their lives. They praised God in good times and bad.

The Eucharist is the center of Catholic worship, and the word “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving.” When Catholics go to Mass, they are offering thanks to God. In the Eucharist, we remember the great gift of Jesus’ sacrifice. We thank God for His love and for giving us the chance to be with Him. Every time we receive the Eucharist, we are united with Jesus and the Church in a prayer of thanksgiving.

Gratitude is more than just words. It is a way of living. Being grateful helps us grow closer to God. It helps us see that everything we have comes from Him. By living with a grateful heart, we open ourselves to His grace and share His love with others.

Thanksgiving is a good time to include your Catholic faith in your celebration. It is easy to make faith a part of this special day. By doing so, we can remember that all of our blessings come from God. Thanksgiving is not just about food and family. It is a chance to give thanks to God in a deeper way.

One way to do this is by saying a prayer before the meal. This can be a simple prayer, like thanking God for the food and the people around you. You can also read from the Psalms. Psalm 100 is a good choice because it is a song of praise and thanksgiving. Another idea is to use a special Thanksgiving prayer, like the one that thanks God for the harvest and for His blessings.

Attending Mass on Thanksgiving morning is another way to give thanks. Many parishes offer a special Thanksgiving Mass. This is a great way to start the day by thanking God in the most important way possible. The Eucharist, which means “thanksgiving,” is the perfect way to show gratitude. By going to Mass, you are placing God at the center of your celebration.

You can also make time for quiet reflection with your family. Before or after the meal, take a few minutes to talk about what you are grateful for. This helps to remind everyone that the day is about more than just food. It is about giving thanks to God for His many gifts. These small steps can help make Thanksgiving a day of faith and gratitude.

Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks, but it is also a time to show charity. In the Catholic faith, we are called to help those in need. Jesus teaches us to love our neighbors and to care for the poor. When we give thanks for our blessings, we should also think about how we can share those blessings with others.

Thanksgiving can inspire us to be more generous. It is a reminder that many people do not have enough food or family to share a meal with. This is a chance to reach out and help. Acts of service and generosity make our gratitude real. It turns our thankfulness into action. Just as we thank God for what we have, we can also show His love by giving to others.

There are many ways to practice charity during Thanksgiving. One way is to volunteer at a local soup kitchen or food pantry. Many churches and organizations hold special events to feed the hungry on Thanksgiving. You can also donate food, clothing, or money to those in need. Even small actions, like giving a meal to a neighbor or calling someone who is lonely, can make a big difference.

Living out gratitude through charity helps us grow closer to God. It helps us see that everything we have is a gift meant to be shared. By helping others, we not only bless them but also show our love for God. This makes Thanksgiving a time not just for giving thanks but also for giving back.

Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday. It is a way of life. While we focus on gratitude during this time, we can make thankfulness a habit all year long. Living with an attitude of gratitude helps us see God’s goodness in our daily lives. It changes how we look at everything and brings us closer to God.

One way to do this is by making gratitude a part of our daily prayer. Each day, we can take a moment to thank God for the blessings He has given us. This can be as simple as thanking Him for our health, family, or food. We can also thank Him for His love and for guiding us through difficult times. A daily habit of thanking God helps us remember that He is always with us.

Learn more about praying with a gratitude list here.

Gratitude also calls us to share our blessings with others. God gives us gifts so that we can share them. This is not something we should do just on Thanksgiving, but every day. We can look for small ways to help others, whether through acts of kindness, sharing our time, or offering support. By doing this, we show God’s love to the people around us.

When we live with gratitude every day, we become more aware of how blessed we are. We learn to see God’s hand in all things. Thanksgiving is not just a once-a-year event. It is a daily choice to thank God and share His blessings with others.

Thanksgiving is a special time to pause and reflect on the many blessings in our lives. It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of everyday life and forget to stop and give thanks. But when we take a moment to look around, we can see how much we have to be grateful for. From the people in our lives to the simple joys we experience each day, there are countless reasons to give thanks.

Gratitude doesn’t just change the way we see the world—it changes us. When we practice thankfulness, we start to notice even the small blessings we often overlook. Maybe it’s a kind word from a friend or the beauty of nature outside our window. These moments remind us that life is full of good things, even in difficult times. Gratitude helps us see life with new eyes.

Thanksgiving is also a reminder to be generous with what we have. When we realize how much we’ve been given, we are inspired to share with others. Whether it’s giving our time, offering a helping hand, or simply being kind, we can make a difference in someone’s life. Sharing our blessings helps us live out the spirit of Thanksgiving every day.

As we reflect on what we are thankful for, it’s important to remember that gratitude is more than a feeling. It’s a choice we make each day. By choosing to focus on the good, we can find joy even in challenging moments. And when we practice gratitude regularly, we open our hearts to the many blessings that surround us.

Reflection Questions

1. What are some simple things in your life that you are thankful for?
2. How can you practice gratitude each day, not just during special times?
3. In what ways can you share your blessings with others around you?

USCCB Reflection: Living Thanksgiving Every Day

In a USCCB video reflection for Thanksgiving, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers reminds us to thank God for all we have—material blessings, spiritual gifts, and the grace of salvation. Reflecting on the Gospel story of the ten lepers, he highlights how true gratitude leads to spiritual renewal. Thanksgiving means not just thanking God but sharing his blessings with others. The Holy Eucharist, which means “Thanksgiving,” is the ultimate act of gratitude, where we receive Jesus and are called to live as Christ in the world. Deacon Burke-Sivers urges us to be faithful stewards of God’s gifts, living with humility and generosity.

Dynamic Catholic: Fall Down in Thanksgiving

In a Thanksgiving reflection, Matthew Kelly shares insights on Luke 17:11-19, where Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one returns to thank him, falling at his feet in humility. Kelly highlights the physical nature of prayer and the power of kneeling as a sign of gratitude and humility before God. He encourages finding simple ways to humble ourselves in prayer, such as kneeling by our bed to thank God for the blessings of the day. Thanksgiving is a reminder to express gratitude with our whole being and to acknowledge God’s presence and grace in our lives.

Grateful – A Lesson Plan on Giving Thanks to God

The story of Jesus healing the ten lepers reminds us how easy it is to forget to give thanks, even for life-changing blessings. Only one leper returned to thank Jesus, despite all ten being healed. Like the lepers, we sometimes forget to thank God for the daily gifts we receive—family, health, or even the sacraments. Developing a habit of gratitude helps us recognize these blessings and respond with joy. As we grow in gratitude, we are inspired to serve others, sharing God’s love and blessings with those around us. Gratitude brings us closer to God and spreads His goodness.

Make a Thankfulness List for Advent

As Advent begins after Thanksgiving, encourage your kids to make a thankfulness list of all they already have. This activity shifts their focus from Christmas wishes to appreciating the blessings in their lives. By reflecting on things like love, health, and friendships, children learn to value what truly matters. Creating a thankfulness list as a family also sparks meaningful conversations and strengthens connections. It helps instill gratitude, contentment, and joy in the present moment. This simple activity can bring a sense of abundance and remind children of the gifts they already have.