Eucharistic Living – Br. Jim Woodrum

Br. Jim WoodrumDeuteronomy 8:7-18; Psalm 65; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Luke 17:11-19

When I was home last week to visit family and friends I witnessed a scenario that I think most of us have seen many times throughout our lives.  A mother, picking up some items in the grocery store on her way home, her small boy sitting in the grocery cart, runs into a friend of hers.  For a moment the boy is lavished with attention and the lady gives him a piece of candy.  At once the mother asks the boy, “Now, what do you say?”  The question is followed by a suspenseful moment where the mother hopes her son will take the bait and recall a scene which naturally has been rehearsed many times up to this point.  I am happy to report that the boy smiled and in broken English said “thank you,” the friend doted more on the boy, and the mother stood there beaming with pride and probably a little relief. Read More

God Loves to be Thanked – Br. Geoffrey Tristram

Deuteronomy 8:-1; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Luke 17:11-19

Among the many things which I like about living in America is this day – Thanksgiving.  My family and friends in England don’t know quite what it is.  They sort of combine it with the 4th of July and think it’s a kind of thanksgiving for having got rid of the British!  But I’ve explained it to them now, and they even phone and wish me Happy Thanksgiving.  So, what is Thanksgiving about?  If it’s not thanks for getting rid of the British, what is it about?  It’s got to be more than just the prelude to the biggest shopping spree of the year!

Thanksgiving’s got something to do with this story of a woman out shopping on Black Friday.  She was in the middle of the packed mall, and felt the need of a coffee break,  So she bought herself a little bag of cookies, put them in her shopping bag, and got in line for a coffee.  She found a place to sit at one of the crowded tables, took the lid off her coffee, and taking out a magazine she relaxed and began to sip her coffee and read.  Across the table from her a man sat reading a newspaper. Read More