November 27, 2009
The Bishop's Forum
Thanksgiving 2009
by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger
Every day is an adventure! Every year is an adventure! This year has been no exception. Adventure may bring self-doubt along with the recognition of our interdependence on one another.
There are many reasons for loss of hope and depression due to the events of this past year from the economy or from the unfavorable weather for farming and its “iffiness” at any moment.
Many of our diocesan family have faced and are facing loss of jobs. Most all have experienced a freeze in pay in one way or another. Families are struggling to keep their heads above the flood of inevitable and monthly bills. The cost of health care and the danger of losing health insurance bring terrible fear to so many. Our elderly brothers and sisters on fixed incomes continue to face increased costs for medicines. Foreclosures on family homes add to the burdens of parents and children. In short, there are so many events of this past year that can lead anyone of us to despair as we look to the next day.
But wait . . . .
Take a deep breath and reflect on all the the signs of hope. Call to mind all the genuine reasons for being thankful.
For me personally, it has been both a joy and a challenge to spend as much time as possible in the wilderness of nature throughout my priesthood since 1961. The lessons I have learned from the Boy Scouts of America have continued to renew and sustain my spirit of hope in the most personally threatening of circumstances.
I have been blessed to be able to participate in demanding treks in canoeing the wilderness of Canada, skiing in the mountains and hiking the mountains trails at Philmont Scout Ranch with full backpack. Those experiences have tested me to the ultimate, physically, emotionally and spiritually. They forced me back to the basics: what are only those items I absolutely need for my survival? Upon whom can I trust with my life in threatening situations? Who will there be to celebrate successful journeys?
Moms and dads, sons and daughters, as you gather round the daily table for a family meal, I encourage you make two lists. Do it over the period of one month. Place on one list all the items you feel you absolutely need as a family to survive. Make alongside it another list of all the items that you now enjoy but that are not absolutely necessary for your survival as a family and as an individual.
Then be grateful to God for the life that your loving parents, in cooperation with Almighty God, gave you! Be thankful for the water you have to drink! Say thanks to God for the food, no matter how meager or tasteless that you need for survival!
Then . . . and only then . . .
Thank God for all the other items that you enjoy but do not need for survival!
After you have done that do not forget to be grateful to those upon whom you depend for the life you enjoy! Your parents and your siblings must be at the top of that list
Daily I give thanks to God for my life and my parents who gave it to me and my siblings who sustain me! At each of my Masses I am most grateful to each and all of you in the Catholic Diocese of Evansville upon whom I depend for my physical, emotional and spiritual life! You give me joyful hope every day!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!