Fr. Michael Rennier: This Thanksgiving, Let’s Be As Grateful as G.K. Chesterton

By Fr. Michael Rennier, Aleteia, Nov. 24, 2024

Chesterton was a huge fan of gratitude. He once declared that, for him, thanksgiving before meals was not enough. He offered prayers of thanks for everything.

No one is quite sure when the first official Thanksgiving was held. Some partisans hold out for the Pilgrims in Massachusetts, others point to the Catholics in St. Augustine. Somehow, Virginia is in the mix claiming the first feast was in their great state. I don’t really know. I’m just happy to eat the turkey.

Maybe it’s best to not waste energy arguing about which group was more thankful and who was thankful first. From the beginning of time, people have had much to be thankful for as God showers countless blessings upon us. The psalmist gives thanks, as did the prophets, as did any countless number of men and women whose names are lost to history. Gratitude, particularly gratitude directed towards God, is good and just. …