Thanks-Giving

Bells are ringing at the doors of supermarkets and department stores. Headlines highlight the increased number of people needing help at Thanksgiving. Central Catholic's lobby is filling with bags of food for Lazarus House. The Christmas Project is underway. "Tis the season to be giving. Nothing new; there is not one of us who does not remember pre-Thanksgiving and pre-Christmas as a time when the needs of others came to the fore and were addressed. It seems like the "Thanksgiving Food Drive" is an established part of Americana as is apple pie.
Such generosity to the poor was part of the life of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, who gave from the royal coffers and kitchen to the poor of her era, the early 13th century. So generous was she that her in-laws objected, ridiculed her, and, when her husband died, evicted her from the castle. Such treatment never daunted her generous spirit. She merely followed Jesus who challenges us "to sell what you have and give to the poor," (Mt 19:21), and warns us, "Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions." (Lk 12: 15). As pressure mounts for giving to help make a happy Thanksgiving for the poor, or when that Salvation Army bell tinkles, may we not be callous, thinking, " them again" and head for the other door, but moved by the words of Jesus, the example of St. Elizabeth and the real needs of others, to give generously to help them, and give thanks that we are able to do so.
Bro. Rene