Thanksgiving, 2022

Last evening, Himself and I attended -- for the first time -- the community interfaith Thanksgiving service. It was held at our church and the worship leaders included priests, pastors, rabbis, nuns, vicars, and a Muslim gentleman. It was lovely to see the focus on what we have in common rather than where we differ. The music was wonderful. The three traditions -- Muslim, Judaism, Christianity -- each had a speaker who read a passage from scripture followed by a reflection on that passage.

The first reader was a rabbi who chose a lengthy Old Testament text about Jacob and Esau and their rivalry. She referred also to that of Cain and Abel, and spent a lot of time talking about the evils of parental favoritism, even cautioning against favorite grandchildren.

The next reader was a protestant minister whose selection was the story of the prodigal son, another tale about a dysfunctional family and sibling jealousy.

I thought these were odd choices for two days before Thanksgiving! But the newspapers this week have featured articles about avoiding conflict at the turkey table and the advice columns have been filled with complaints about yet another holiday with a distasteful relative. 

I'm happy that we'll be having Thanksgiving with one branch of our family on Thursday and another on Friday. I can't wait to be together. I'm blissfully unaware of any familial strife or discord. Listening to those preachers last night made me wonder if I am blessed or in major denial. I'm choosing the former.