While most people know that the USA celebrates Thanksgiving today, few people know the origins of this holiday. The first Thanksgiving was actually a Catholic Mass! The first Spanish settlers landed in St. Augustine, Florida on September 8th, 1565, to build a settlement. When they arrived, the first thing they did was celebrate a Mass to thank God for their safe travels. Immediately following the Mass, Fr. Lopez, the first pastor of St. Augustine, invited the Spanish Settlers and natives from the Timucua tribe to share a meal. This was the first Thanksgiving!
First Thanksgiving
This first Thanksgiving story lives out in today’s Gospel so well. In today’s Gospel, only one leper comes back to thank Our Lord for healing him. The Spanish settlers also gave thanks to God after their safe journey. We should try to imitate their example and remember that the focus of today should ultimately be to thank God for everything He has done for us.
The term “Eucharist” originated from a Greek word meaning thanksgiving. Starting off our Thanksgiving celebrations at Mass today is a great way to thank our Loving God. After the leper thanks Him for being healed, Christ tells Him “Your faith has saved you.”
Love and Gratitude
God is completely happy and did not need us. Yet, He still chose to create us out of nothing, die for us, and desires to have us be perfectly happy with Him forever. Our God is so good and deserves our love and gratitude! Spend time today in prayer giving thanks to God for the many blessings He has given you!
[Readings: RV 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9A; LK 21:20-28 or Sir 50:22-24; 1 Cor 1:3-9; Lk 17:11-19]
