This week millions of Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving, gathering at table surrounded by family or friends to share a meal. For many, it will be a satisfying and festive holiday, a time to gather with thankful hearts. For some, Thanksgiving is overshadowed by stress, anxiety, grief, guilt or family conflict.
None of us come to the table empty-handed, no matter what role we play in preparing the meal. At the Lord’s table, we are invited to lay down our hurts and our grudges, and receive God’s life-sustaining gift of forgiveness and peace. We are invited to a thanksgiving banquet of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace. May God’s gift of Eucharist—the Thanksgiving Meal of the Lord’s Table—shape the table fellowship you experience this Thanksgiving.
This message is adapted from “A Table of Thanks” written by Julie A. Kanarr in the November 2004 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine.