There are two days of the year that have always made an impression on me since my earliest years as a priest. They do so because I have seen time and again how, even though the days are not a Sunday or a holy day of obligation, many people come to Mass.

The first of those days is Ash Wednesday. Yes, they are coming for ashes, which will often be proudly worn to the office or school or around the house. But even more, there is a sense of a day of real penance, of a need to draw closer to God. And what better way than that first Mass of Lent?

The other day that often draws people to Mass is Thanksgiving.

Just as people seem to be moved to an act of penance on Ash Wednesday, many seem moved to make a particular act of thanks to God for so many gifts during the past year by coming to that Mass before beginning the work on the turkey or the ritual of visits and football.

Saying “thank you” to God is a fundamental part of our faith. Our very existence is His gift to each one of us. And from there, every grace, every blessing, and the calling to eternal life with Him is an on-going gift of His love and generosity. We should be grateful 24/7!

Still, I wonder if we were to ask ourselves if we say thank you to God each day, or if we even asked when was the last time we thanked God explicitly, we might feel a pang of conscience.

Perhaps this fits in nicely with the Year of Faith, and Pope Benedict’s hope that our efforts during this spiritual time will arouse a greater sense of faith and deepened sense of gratitude to God as well.

It may well be true that when we are overwhelmed with gifts, lavished as we are with God’s love, we can begin to take that generosity for granted, even without intending to do so.

Think for example of the 10 lepers cured by Christ as recorded in the Gospel. Isn’t that a great story of gratitude? Nine of the lepers rejoiced in the gift of their healed bodies and flesh and, presumably, ran off to see family and friends from whom they had been separated by the disease. Can you blame them?

Still, one turned right around. That one former leper probably had the same family members and relatives that he longed to be with. But first, he returned to Christ and fell at his feet in thanks. Having done that, having rightly rendered homage to God, then he went about his joyful business.

Isn’t that a great model for Thanksgiving?

Why not follow the example of that one grateful leper this week? You could do it this way: first take a little bit of quiet time and make a list (mentally or by writing it out) of all of the gifts of God that you can recall having benefitted from since last Thanksgiving. Start with the gifts involving those closest to you: spouse, family and friends.

 Have that firmly in mind when attending Mass this Thanksgiving weekend. Then go, preferably with the whole family. Be like the leper who had his priorities and his thoughts right.

Hearts filled with gratitude are a part of our right relation with God.  Don’t let this Thanksgiving holiday go by without an explicit prayer of thanks to God for all of His blessings.

And a most Blessed Thanksgiving to you and to your

family.