Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

        We may be caught off guard!   Thanksgiving comes a wee bit early this year and perhaps you, like me, thought we had another week before the feast.  Being caught unawares is like the unproductive  steward in today’s Gospel.  He did not know when the master would come and rightfully demand his recompense.  His fear kept him from risk taking and left him in a most embarrassing predicament.  Why did he fail?

       First we look at the master who put his trust in his servants.  He ”blessed” them with his own possessions.  He had confidence that each one would produce in the measure to which he was entrusted.  The master determined the capabilities of each, not too much to those who could not handle it.  The first expected response from the stewards should be that of gratitude that the master thought so highly of them.  Secondly, there would have been respect for the master’s expectation and, thirdly, devotedness in the task assigned.  The unworthy steward failed in all of this because he lacked gratitude toward his master. His primary goal was to save his own skin.  

     As we prepare to celebrate our annual national holiday we first recognize that we have but one master–God.  We ponder the gifts he has bestowed upon us, never in comparison with others but knowing that the Lord has given us what is necessary for our well-being.  We offer Him our thankfulness and commit ourselves to use well what He has given.

A Blessed Thanksgiving,