Amid the multitude of national and global crises, being thankful for personal blessings can seem nothing more than a self-centered exercise of relief that we’re far better off than millions of poor souls whose sole aim is to survive the winter. For those of us whose circle of compassion has evolved to include everyone as God’s children regardless of differences, we struggle to sit comfortably in the lap of luxury when so much is going so wrong.
For us the dilemma is one of wondering what exactly can we be truly thankful for, while embracing the severe hardships of the day: more and more failed states; conservatively more than 60 million migrants or those internally displaced; irreversible environmental nightmares; and a country and world armed to the teeth, ready even to overthrow our ever fragile democracy? To boot, we fearfully bear witness to our health care system in a state of emergency, weary of engaging in the ongoing fight against “World War C” as renowned epidemiologist, Dr. Sanjay Gupta names it in his new book of the same title.
What are we to do? Let me share how I have found a way to remain authentically thankful. First is the realization that while I still live and breathe, I have the opportunity to make a difference, no matter how seemingly inconsequential. I have a chance to make change, to participate in making a way where there is no way, as the old adage says. Doing so somehow brightens my waning hope that must be kept alive. For if I don’t roll up my sleeves for the causes I hold dear, if I don’t continue to do my best, what then do I,or we, deserve? Did you know that the Nuclear Freeze movement of the 1980s resulted in the elimination of no less than 45,000, armed warheads worldwide, and that its groundswell arose right here in western Mass.?
Second reason: we have the blessing of each and every person who sacrificed themselves for the betterment of humankind. To name but a few of those upon whose shoulders we stand: Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, MLK, Rep. John Lewis, Rosa Parks,and, of course, our own Frances Crowe. With their continual spirit of support and encouragement within us, we can be thankful that we are never alone in our pursuit of multi-faceted justice. We have their deeds as well as their words upon which to build an immovable foundation of hope for which we confidently can be grateful.
Third, look around you now at the young faces of energy and leadership, from well known Greta Thunberg to anonymous college students and baristas who doff the apron to hold up a sign as they march, as they so peacefully did on June 1, 2019, at Lafayette Square in D.C., only to be tear-gassed to fabricate the presidential image of a true patriot, holding a Bible upside down unwittingly stating that he owns even God.
The list of our brave ones stand out before us, for those who see that, through it all, we can remain genuinely thankful, notwithstanding.
The Rev. Peter Kakos lives in Northampton.