Thanksgiving

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday and prepare for the beginning of Advent, here are just a few of the things that I am thankful for:

n  First and foremost, 2013 is the 10^th anniversary of both my spiritual reawakening and sobriety. Without that grace of God, I don’t know where I’d be—certainly not where I am.

n  My monastic vocation; God is good—and strange!

n  Family, friends, colleagues, and confreres—both past and present. It takes all kinds, I’ve learned—and continue to rediscover. A fairly decent contingent of family members is arriving later this week to spend Thanksgiving on the Hill, so I’m looking forward to that.

n  The many gifts and opportunities I’ve received or benefited from. Among these is tomorrow’s official publication by Abbey Press of my new book, Grace in the Wilderness: Reflections on God’s Sustaining Word Along Life’s Journey—a book made possible, among other things, by the grace of my vocation, the request by the Abbot a few years ago to write commentaries for the Sunday Mass readings, and this blog and its readers (many of the book’s reflections originally appeared here). Incidentally, the book has garnered at least one online review of which I’m aware (read it here.), and will be one of those featured at a book signing I’m attending at the Catholic Supply stores in St. Louis on Saturday, November 30 (read more about the event here.).

n   Many, many others. Here’s hoping that each takes the time to recognize and be grateful for all of life’s blessings, putting them at the service of one another.

One last note: because of my family visiting and the upcoming trip to St. Louis, I will not be posting again here until after the holiday weekend. Of course, you are always free to peruse what’s already here.

A Blessed Thanksgiving to all!

--Br. Francis