Thanksgiving Day is a holiday in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November. It is traditionally a day for families and friends to get together for a special meal. The meal often includes a turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, pumpkin pie, and vegetables (if it is not during a time of fasting, as this year will be on November 28). Let me share with you some of what the Bible says about the life of thanksgiving: "The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this…

The double aspect of man and sinner: "There is, as it were, a double aspect: man and sinner. To be a man is God's work, to be a sinner is our doing. Blot out what you have done, so that God may restore what He has done; hate your own work in yourself and love what He has done in you." Neighbors: "My brothers, do not think you must speak the truth to a Christian but can lie to a pagan. You are speaking to your brother, born like you…

Works of mercy: "Two works of mercy set a man free: forgive, and you will be forgiven; and, give, and you will receive." The imitation of Christ: "Because of this great sin of pride, God humbled Himself, taking the nature of a servant, bearing insults and hanging on a cross. To heal us, He became humble, shall we not be ashamed to be proud?" The two commandments: "Keep this always before you: that you are to love God and your neighbor. The love of God is the first to be…

Prayer is communication with, talking with, God. It is a great bond with both God and other members of the Church. There is no spiritual life without prayer. The soul of the Christian consists in the gift of prayer. Prayer is essential, and it is the test of everything. If your prayer is perfect, everything else will be perfect and right. To pray means to stand before God and talk to Him with all your mind and thought. Prayer is what motivated the thought of the church fathers, so let…