Thanksgiving Thoughts 2015

"Those to whom much is given, much is required."

I couldn't help but think about that adage this Thanksgiving Day, 2015, which I've heard attributed to President Kennedy, and is also from a Bible passage in the Gospels.

This occasion is an opportunity for us as a people, here in the United States, to pause and reflect on the many blessings we have.

As we marvel at the good things we have, we realize that it's not enough to be thankful for what we have:  We are compelled by these blessings to express our gratitude by the way we live our lives and use those good blessings.

As Roman Catholics, we come to Mass week after week to remember God's goodness to us.  In the silent period after the communion procession ends, I offer up thanks to God, for a particular occasion for that date, my people in my family, other people I know, for the communities to which I belong, and to those things that fill my life and the Earth, whatever comes to mind.  That's why I always regard attending Mass as a fitting way to celebrate this holiday.

At the end of Mass, before the start of the closing song, we all say, "Thanks be God".  And then, as the term "Mass" implies, we are "sent forth" to live in light of the goodness of God we have celebrated, living out our thanks to God, transformed by worshiping Him together in His presence.

I know that in my own faith journey, God has worked marvelously to bring me into the vibrant faith I have.  But I realize it's not enough to have vibrant faith:  I must put it into action.  One especially meaningful way I've done so is in teaching Religious Education classes, now for my third consecutive year.  I use my faith to help young people develop their own sense of faith, passing on what I have received in serving these young people, who compel me to live out this faith to the utmost, setting a good example in conduct that pleases God.

My classes are certainly one of those things for which I'm most grateful, and I often find myself thanking God for them in that silent period after communion, before I am sent forth to live out that gratitude, toward them, and everyone else.

The World Holistically

I wanted to take this opportunity to give a shout-out to National Geography Awareness Week.

Geography is something I've enjoyed studying since 2nd grade.  Certainly knowing names and locations of places is one part, but it's also having a broader understanding of the world.

Nowhere is this better demonstrated than in the National Geography Bee competition, sponsored by the National Geographic Society each year for students in grades 4-8.  The final round is hosted in Washington, DC, each May, and this year was the 2nd time Soledad O'Brien hosted the event, who succeeded Alex Trebek.

The one part of this year's competition that impressed me was the question about where to build a snow resort.  While there was an obvious best pick of the three choices, this question gave the participants an opportunity to think critically about the various factors in articulating why they choose a particular location.

The participants certainly know their geography, as evidenced by the one person, who, after being told his response was incorrect, immediately raised his hand to object--the first time I can recall having seen something like this happen.  The judges then looked into his objection, and ultimately agreed with him, giving him credit for a correct answer.

Having participated in this competition myself at the lower levels--which includes attaining a place at the Illinois state level back in 2005--I can say that it gives young people a great opportunity to express a holistic understanding of the world that helps us engage fully in it.

Try out some National Geography Bee questions for yourself:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/quiz/today/