Again and again you offered a covenant to us,

and through the prophets taught us to hope for salvation.

Father, you so loved the world that in the fullness of time

you sent your only Son to be our Savior.

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He was conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit,

and born of the Virgin Mary, a man like us in all things but sin.

To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation,

to prisoners, freedom,

and to those in sorrow, joy.

In fulfillment of your will he gave himself up to death;

but by rising from the dead,

he destroyed death and restored life.

And that we might live no longer for ourselves but for him,

he sent the Holy Spirit from you , Father,

as his first gift to those who believe,

to complete his work on earth

and bring us the fullness of grace.

Beloved, as we celebrate “Thanksgiving” this week, let us remember that we are to “give thanks” to the Giver of all things. When I was celebrating the Mass (Eucharist) this week, I used the fourth Eucharistic Prayer. I have been meditating on the words above.

Isn’t it amazing that God gives us the gift of ‘hope’?!

Isn’t it amazing that God so loves the world…

Isn’t it amazing that God grew up like all of us…as a child to show us the WAY OF LOVE?!

Isn’t it amazing that God is truly like all of my family and friends? Others can hurt God. God can hunger and thirst like us. God longs for peace. God desires to free prisoners knowing that only the person without sin can cast the first stone…and He doesn’t! God knows what it is like to journey through the death of a parent and friend. God has tears like all of us.

Jesus knew that a selfish spirit imprisoned all humans, so he begged his Father to become Our Father. All that we are, all that we long for is God Alone. God is Love. And God gives us only Love…God’s very self.

He sent the Holy Spirit from you, Father,

as his first gift to those who believe,

to complete his work on earth

and bring us the fullness of grace.

Beloved, let us be filled with gratitude. We are God’s sons and daughters…and beloved. God loves us unconditionally. The beginning of Eucharistic Prayer for Masses of Reconciliation I brings this point home:

Father, from the beginning of time

you have always done what is good for us

so that we may be holy as you are holy.

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Look with kindness on your people gathered here before you:

send forth the power of your Spirit so that these gifts

may become for us the body + and blood

of your beloved Son, Jesus the Christ,

in whom we have become your sons and daughters.

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When we were lost and could not find the way to you,

you loved us more than ever:

Jesus, your Son, innocent and without sin,

gave himself into our hands and was nailed to a cross.

Yet before he stretched out his arms between heaven and earth

in the everlasting sign of your covenant,

he desired to celebrate the paschal feast in the company of his disciples.

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While they were at supper,

he took bread and gave you thanks and praise.

He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:

Take this….

Beloved, when you are at dinner this Thanksgiving, will you consider giving thanks beyond the dinner you are about to eat? Are you willing to enter into the mystery of God’s love for us? How blessed we are to be able to share in the journey of “Catholic Stewards of Creation”.

Thank You, God, for calling Susi to this wonderful mystery. This past year, I have discovered so many wonderful encounters of God’s creation through this website. May this ministry be blessed. And we ask a special blessing on Susi, her family and her wonderful animals that come to us from heaven!

Love, peace and joy,

Father Ron Moses +

www.tearinthedesert.com