GIVING THANKS
As the daylight hours grow shorter and nights become cooler here in the northern hemisphere, at Thanksgiving we find a moment together to recognize that the food on our table is a great gift. During this fall season, “the world is charged with the grandeur of God,” as poet Gerard Manley Hopkins put it – a colourful array of vegetables greets us at the grocery store, the changing hues of the leaves take our breath away, and the local birds continue to sing their hearts out in the face of all the foolishness of humans. Despite rising food prices, disruption from climate change and the hectic lives we lead, we do well to celebrate. Whatever is on the menu, it is the perfect time to pause, reflect and be thankful.
How appropriate that World Food Day is just a few days away (on October 16). On this day, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations invites us to become aware of how food is produced and distributed, reduce food waste, choose nutritious foods, and help to protect water, soil and biodiversity. This year’s theme, “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow,” is a call to end hunger in a world that produces enough food to feed everyone. Whether we make a meal for someone in need, drop off groceries at a nearby food bank or donate funds to help hungry people half a world away, we can all play a role in feeding each other.
This year, Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for May was “That everyone might have food.” Here is part of his prayer:
Lord of creation,
You gave us the fertile earth and, with it, our daily bread,
as a sign of Your love and providence.
Today we recognize with sorrow
that millions of brothers and sisters continue to suffer from hunger,
while so many goods are wasted at our tables.
Awaken in us a new awareness:
that we learn to thank for every food,
to consume simply,
to share with joy,
and to care for the fruits of the earth as a gift from You,
destined for all, not just a few.
Happy Thanksgiving – and may we be thankful for the food on our tables every day of the year!
Anne Louise Mahoney is managing editor of Novalis. She is the editor of several books, including Pocket Book of Hope, and is the author of I Am and I Hope, part of the Seeds of Faith series for young children.
