10 Oct

THANKSGIVING 2014

RUMBLINGS FROM THE RECTORY
Itadakimasu  (Eee tah dah key maaahs)
No, I haven’t lost the rest of my mind and started typing gibberish.  Colleen and I have friends in Virginia that we enjoy visiting whenever possible, and their son was in Japan, and brought home this short prayer.   In brief, it means “Thanks for the feast”,  and in Japan it is prayed together before every meal, with the palms of the hands held together and the head slightly bowed.  While it may be construed as a religious prayer by those who are Christian, it is in fact giving thanks for all aspects of the meal.  It is a way of saying thanks to the cook for preparing the meal.  It is a means of saying thank you to the hosts if you are guests in someone else’s house.  It is thanks for all aspects of the meal; the gardener who grew the potatoes, the turkey for giving up its life so that we could have a meal, the dish washer for ensuring that we have clean dishes from which to eat.  And, as a Christian, to God for all the benefits that we have received at God’s hand.  (a little bit of Anthropomorphism here, assuming that God has hands)
Living in Canada, we have a great deal to be thankful for, and I pray that we all continue to realize that fact and not take it for granted.  As other areas of the world continue to struggle with war and disease, the evil of ISISand the ebola plague, we really are fortunate.
On this thanksgiving weekend, I pray that each member of our congregation will take a look around our community, and reach out to those who are less fortunate than we are.  I pray that you will remember others who have needs in your prayers, and with your generosity.  Sadly, not all Canadians have the same advantages and opportunities, and it is our responsibility as Christians to reach out to those in need as we give thanks for all that we have been given.
May each of you have a blessed Thanksgiving this weekend.
megwich kchi manitou (Ojibway for Thank you, Great God)