Of all public holidays, Thanksgiving is one of the most moving for me. I love that it is first and foremost a national holiday not explicitly tied to any religious tradition. Rather than being a religious holiday co-opted by commerce for purposes of profit, it is a secular holiday with deep meaning for those of us who approach life from a faith perspective.

Giving thanks is a central part of the Christian journey. The story about Jesus healing the 10 lepers in Luke 17:11-19 comes to mind. Only one turned back to say thank you and Jesus blessed him. A quick count finds that Paul gives thanks at least 35 times in his letters to the churches. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 he writes: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ.”

However, there are times when it does not seem possible to give thanks. Life can be terribly unfair and burdensome. Just think about everyone going hungry, those who have lost jobs and income, the many children who are abused, the chronic pain some of us live with. Injustice is chronic and systemic sin is all-too prevalent. The Thanksgiving holiday can be painful and empty for those who have no one with whom to share it, or no food to put on the table, or who are overwhelmed with grief.

So as we prepare to celebrate this holiday, let us make a special effort to hold in our prayers those who in this moment cannot give thanks. Let us open our tables to those who have nowhere to go. And amid the hustle and bustle of preparations, let’s carve out a few moments to quietly reflect on our blessings, however insignificant they may seem, for which we can give thanks.