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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2008 /  Many reasons to give thanks in these times

by Sr. Janet Schaeffler special to The Michigan Catholic
Published November 7, 2008

Given the reality of the last several weeks— failed banks, credit crisis, Wall Street bailout — it seems totally understandable that people's primary preoccupations center on how it personally affects them.

Yet, we are a people connected. As Catholic Christians we are a people motivated by, concerned for, and always acting in solidarity and for the common good.

"Whatever you do for your brothers and sisters, you do for me." There is nowhere in Scripture where Jesus talks only about taking care of ourselves and forgetting the needs of others.

Today's reality

What is the reality that surrounds us – even before the events of the last several weeks? To name a few (in addition to the many that we are already aware of in our personal lives: mortgage foreclosures, gas prices, increasing grocery prices, etc.):

1.) The dramatic decline in concentrated poverty during the 1990s may be reversing, according to a Brookings Institution study. Between 1999-2005:

• 57 percent of large U.S. metro areas report an increase in "concentrated working poverty."

• 40 percent increase in the number of tax filers living in areas with high rates of working poverty.

• 12.3 percent of all low-income families lived in high poverty communities, up from 10.4 percent.

2.) Calling the housing needs of low-income Americans a "national priority," the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops commended the creation of a $300 million national fund that will help preserve, rehabilitate and build rental housing. This is the first new federal initiative specifically targeted to extremely low-income households since 1974. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development offers information for individuals who want to learn more about housing funds.

3.) Catholic Relief Services recently committed $1 million in private funding to help hungry people around the world buy food and prepare for the next planting season. "This effort is just the beginning," said CRS President Ken Hackett. "By early next year, the food crisis will be deeper and broader as more segments of society are pushed into poverty by the combination of higher prices for food and energy worldwide." Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community.

A people connected

In the midst of today's realities, we are a people connected. The principle of solidarity and concern for the common good is the ground work of who we are as Catholic Christians. Pope John Paul II said solidarity is the reality that "we are all really responsible for all" ("Sollicitude Rei Socialis," no. 38). This principle commits us to the pursuit of the common good, not just for what is best for me as an individual.

Peter Maurin's words, co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement with Dorothy Day, summarized the option for the common good:

"The world would be better off | if people tried to become better. | And people would become better | if they stopped trying to be better off. | For when everybody tries to become better off, |nobody is better off. | But when everyone tries to become better, | everybody is better off. | Everybody would be rich | if nobody tried to become richer. | And nobody would be poor | if everybody tried to be the poorest. |And everybody would be what he ought to be, | if everybody tried to be | what he wants the other fellow to be."

Our two responses

In the midst of today's realities, perhaps more than ever, this year calls forth two responses:

Count your blessings more than ever

In this month of Thanksgiving, amid these difficult economic times, it can be easy to think this is the year there is not much for which to be thankful. Perhaps this is the year to take a little more reflective time to pause and count our blessings. Helen Keller said, "So much has been given to me; I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied." Think for a moment about Helen Keller's life: blind, deaf – and happy, contented and grateful.

Several years ago, an 11-year-old girl in New Jersey suffered from a rare blood disorder, Cooley's anemia, as did her brother and sister. There were no drugs, no known medical help to prevent death before age 20 at the time. The condition meant regular trips to Cornell Medical Center in New York City for blood transfusions. During the Thanksgiving season, her teacher called her mother, saying that the class had been asked to write about what they were most thankful for. The teacher explained that most of the essays were predictable: home, parents, food. But as the teacher's voice quieted, she said, "I wanted to tell you what Rosemary wrote – I thank God for my good health."

Her mother first wondered how Rosemary could write that, but then immediately remembered the other children that Rosemary saw on their hospital visits, those suffering from cancer or with amputations. Rosemary could play, walk, be with her friends. Rosemary died on her 12th birthday, but lived life every day with gratitude. In her room, was a plaque she had made: "This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).

Thanksliving

We are called not only to say thanks but to live thanks, not just celebrate thanksgiving but act continually and constantly thanksliving.

Thanksgiving is a good thing; thanksliving is better. Words aren't enough; how are we living what we say? It is applying Albert Schweitzer's philosophy: "In gratitude for your own good fortune you must render in return some sacrifice of your life for another life."

• If we have been given gifts, what are we doing for others who are needy?

• If we are happy, how are we striving to provide an atmosphere of joy for others?

• If we are grateful to those who have helped us, how are we helping those who need a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand?

• If we thank God for the beauty of the world, what are we doing to make it more beautiful?

Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP, is the archdiocesan associate director for adult faith formation for the Office for Faith Formation/Catechetics.