There’s no better holiday than Thanksgiving to exemplify the spirit of the solidarity movement. Giving thanks is what lifts us above the world’s dominant philosophy of acquisition and the pursuit of endless growth. We are content to take this opportunity to look around and enjoy the blessings that we already have.
We give thanks for mothers who sacrifice their own bodies to bring new life into the world. We give thanks for the charity of benefactors who donate food and clothing to help those who are less fortunate this season. We give thanks for the natural world and its fruits, given to humanity to be enjoyed but not squandered. We give thanks for husbands and wives who faithfully put each other first for a lifetime despite a world that encourages them to be selfish. We give thanks for families and churches, where our local community finds support, undaunted by the fickleness of the economy. And we give thanks for even a brief pause in the war in the Middle East while hostages are reunited with their families.
That is not to say that we should pretend that everything is perfect. We remain vigilant against the destroyers of gratefulness: spoiled disrespect and prideful self-reliance. As we celebrate the holidays with our loved ones, let us set an attractive example of thankfulness and gratitude, which inspires our families and friends to appreciate and share the abundance of the Earth in solidarity with all.
