With all of the negative news that has been broadcasted through the national media, the American Family is alive and well even with all of the challenges that they are facing in the 21st Century. To reach their successful Ladder of Achievement of 100 percent..."We did it," the American traditional family will be celebrating this Thanksgiving Day, 2008, with an economy that has gone the "roller-coaster ride" for much of 2008. For all American Families who are striving to live within their means and to plan positively for the forseeable future, there will be budget restraints that will be taken in stride for most American Families. The climb up the Ladder of Achievement for all American Families will be challenged in the next couple of years to have faith and confidence in a Republic that allows many freedoms that do not exist in other parts of the world. IN GOD WE TRUST will be the battlecry and the surge that will make the difference. "And they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights and among these are LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS." (Declaration of Independence, 1776, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
In many parts of our wonderful Country, many American families will be homeless, unemployed, underemployed, and ignored by the greed that some individuals who could care less for the sacredness and the dignity of the human spirit. On the other hand, there will be many private volunteers who will step up and make a difference by their courageous generosity to provide for those unfortunate people who need the care and the attention that they deserve. "When did I see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and gave you a drink? When did I ever see you a stranger and welcomed you in my home, or naked and clothe you? When did I ever see you sick or in prison, and visited you? ...I tell you WHENEVER YOU DID THIS FOR ONE OF THE LEAST IMPORTANT OF THESE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, YOU DID IT FOR ME!" (Matthew 25)
In my mail during these past two weeks, my attention was drawn to a prayer that will be appropriate for all American Families to think about on Thanksgiving Day and throughout the next year:
"Good and gracious God, we come before You today united with all who give You thanks and praise. Fill us with gratitude for Your many blessings both physical and spiritual."
"We thank You in particular this day for the gifts of food and family. Bless this food, Lord, that it may nourish our bodies. Bless our family, especially those who can't be with us today. Also today, we remember those of our family who have gone to be with You."
"Grant us Your spiritual blessings and help us pray daily for the grace to serve You in response to Your bountiful gifts to us. Bless all who serve You throughout the World."
"We pray this in the name of Jesus, Your Son, Our Lord, who gives all things freely according to our needs. Continue to bless us and give us Your peace." Amen." (The Marianist Mission, Dayton, Ohio...www.MarianistMission.org)
MAY YOU ALL HAVE A HOLY, A BLESSED, AND A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
In many parts of our wonderful Country, many American families will be homeless, unemployed, underemployed, and ignored by the greed that some individuals who could care less for the sacredness and the dignity of the human spirit. On the other hand, there will be many private volunteers who will step up and make a difference by their courageous generosity to provide for those unfortunate people who need the care and the attention that they deserve. "When did I see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and gave you a drink? When did I ever see you a stranger and welcomed you in my home, or naked and clothe you? When did I ever see you sick or in prison, and visited you? ...I tell you WHENEVER YOU DID THIS FOR ONE OF THE LEAST IMPORTANT OF THESE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, YOU DID IT FOR ME!" (Matthew 25)
In my mail during these past two weeks, my attention was drawn to a prayer that will be appropriate for all American Families to think about on Thanksgiving Day and throughout the next year:
"Good and gracious God, we come before You today united with all who give You thanks and praise. Fill us with gratitude for Your many blessings both physical and spiritual."
"We thank You in particular this day for the gifts of food and family. Bless this food, Lord, that it may nourish our bodies. Bless our family, especially those who can't be with us today. Also today, we remember those of our family who have gone to be with You."
"Grant us Your spiritual blessings and help us pray daily for the grace to serve You in response to Your bountiful gifts to us. Bless all who serve You throughout the World."
"We pray this in the name of Jesus, Your Son, Our Lord, who gives all things freely according to our needs. Continue to bless us and give us Your peace." Amen." (The Marianist Mission, Dayton, Ohio...www.MarianistMission.org)
MAY YOU ALL HAVE A HOLY, A BLESSED, AND A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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