Cross-Border Thanksgiving

You may not have noticed that Canada and the United States can be somewhat different in perspectives on a number of important issues, including governance. This is an understatement, you say? Perhaps. One of our obvious differences is the date for Thanksgiving. Americans celebrate this celebration of gratitude late in November, and I pray that this year millions of people there will be dancing in the streets because of a regime change. 

For Canadians Thanksgiving is this weekend, although most of us will be recognizing the event in a smaller, and more pensive manner -- just who is allowed to join us at the table? . Many Christian congregations have not yet resumed in-person worship and others aren't sure whether they should continue, so Sunday will be a rather muted celebration. The phrase, "Give Thanks, Not COVID" is prudent as cases are on the rise in many provinces,  but not exactly a cornucopia of gratitude

You may not be aware that the scripture readings in the ecumenical lectionary are also different for our two countries this weekend because of when when we celebrate Thanksgiving. I took a look, and actually passages for the States would be appropriate for our bitter/sweet worship. There is the familiar psalm of comfort, Psalm 23, which promises that even as we travel through the valley of the shadow of death, God will be with us. 

The epistle is from the apostle Paul's letter to the congregation in Philippi while he is under house arrest (how appropriate.) Somehow Paul is able to offer a declaration of joy and invites these new Christians to focus on what is positive and good, despite the travails of their daily lives. I shared these words with my blog readers six months ago and I received emails and texts and comments from a number of you. 

On this unprecedented Thanksgiving weekend they are worth considering once again. We can do so with a sense of contemplation and allow them to enter into the core of who we are. Some of us will be separated from family in the next few days, and a lot of us won't attend worship "in-the-flesh." We can thank God for all that is good in our lives and for Christ's comforting presence

Therefore, my brothers and sisters,^* whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved...

 Rejoice^* in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.^* Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 Finally, beloved,^* whatever is true, whatever is honourable, 

whatever is just, whatever is pure, 

whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, 

if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about^* these things. 

Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

                                    Phiippians 4:1, 4-9