IT’S Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S. Happy Thanksgiving Day to all!
As I reflect on the beauty of this day, I remember a thanksgiving homily that my fellow priest, Fr. Anthony Lee shared with the seminary community.
He started his homily with his experience of a “culture shock” during his first Christmas in America. He was stunned to see how people in the U.S. would rip beautifully wrapped gifts in front of their family and friends.
“We would never do this in Korea,” he said. “It would be embarrassing to do it. “In Korea, we open each gift gently, carefully, and slowly to show our deep appreciation and delight for the gifts and the givers.”
There is a lesson to learn from Koreans’ manner of opening gifts. It reminds us to cherish all the blessings we receive from God and other people with a profound sense of reverence, awe, and gratitude.
And although our lives are simple, imperfect, and are filled with challenges, we never forget to see and appreciate every nugget of grace and flicker of hope and love happening around us.
In her song, Blessings, Laura Story shared this sentiment:
“We pray for blessings, we pray for peace;
Comfort for family, while we.
We pray for healing, for prosperity.
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering.
All the while You hear each spoken need,
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things.
”Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear.”
Blessings to all!
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Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
