In this week when we are preparing for the LOVE that is coming, for the season of Advent, those of us who live in the United States pause for a day of Thanksgiving. This has always been my favorite holiday of the year. Throughout my life, Thanksgiving Day has been a time for family gatherings, great food, great conversation, and, at least during my younger years, a game of football among family members after the big meal.

What better way to give thanks to God than to celebrate the close ties of family and friends! My son has been part of a tradition going on ten years now of celebrating “Friendsgiving” among people whose families live far away but who can enjoy a family-like gathering among friends.

Thanksgiving reminds us of the things in life that are truly important. In the scripture passage for today, Jesus reminds us of what is ultimately important. Jesus knows how we humans can worry about everyday things: food, shelter, clothing. All these are important to us and important to God. But Jesus doesn’t want us to worry about them because worrying won’t help. Instead, Jesus invites us to put our trust in God. Such focus on God’s faithfulness makes all the difference in the world for how we think and relate to others and to our everyday needs. Jesus wants us to strive first for what we have been referring to this week as the O in LOVE: Order, the reign of God, sometimes referred to as the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven. Jesus says that if we strive first for the reign of God and God’s righteousness—if we make following God's commandments and Jesus’ example the first priority in the way we live our lives—“All these things will be given to you as well.”