Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:26-35
Thanksgiving is a wonderful tradition in this country and for Indigenous people here, it is also very complicated. The idea of gratitude and feasting with family and friends is essential to all our cultures and tribes. Yet, the first thanksgiving never really happened the way it has been portrayed. The people who saved the pilgrim's lives, quickly became the enemy and were slaughtered. This is an often-repeated story throughout our nation's history. We are invited today to give thanks to our Creator for the gift of the bread of life, Jesus and to honestly work for the care, inclusion and feeding of all. For no matter our traumas and our complex histories, we have much to be grateful for, as we are abundantly blessed even in the midst of challenges.
A Thanksgiving Litany
Wondrous Creator, you tenderly care for us
despite our pain and our scars you love us all
blessing is with good food and good company
despite the chaos and terrors around us.
Bread of life, we thank you for your love so freely given.
We often see only what we are lacking now
yet you promise the bread of life for all people
you breathe your spirit into our dark spaces
and call us to be generous with what we have.
Bread of life, we thank you for your love so freely given.
You are the bread of life and the prince of peace
we are selfish and we battle one another
help us to put down our anger and our rage
and turn to our neighbors with love and compassion.
Bread of life, we thank you for your love so freely given.
We live in a world divided and fighting
help us carry your peace with us everywhere.
Bread of life, we thank you for your love so freely given.
We fail every day to love all our neighbors
yet you promise to feed us and refresh us again.
Bread of life, we thank you for your love so freely given.
Let our gratitude be real as we serve others
for you came so the whole world might know love.
Bread of life, we thank you for your love so freely given. Amen.
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