Reading: Deut. 8:1-3,6-10 Ecumenical Service
- November 12, 2000
The Rev. Karen Siegfriedt,
St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Cupertino CA
Today's reading from the Book of Deuteronomy takes place some 3300 years ago. The Hebrew people are poised on the east bank of the Jordan River, preparing themselves to occupy "the Promised Land." Having fled from political, social, and religious persecution in Egypt, they are filled with longing, anticipation, and hope for the land "of fountains and springs…of wheat and barley…vines, figs, and pomegranates." How similar to the Hebrew people, were the feeling, hopes, and desires of the Puritan Separatists who prepared themselves for the promised land of America some 2000 years later.
Having suffered religious persecution from King James I of England, and social poverty in Holland, 44 Puritans (along with 66 other passengers) boarded the Mayflower on Sept. 6, 1620. The Puritans called themselves "the saints" and referred to the others as "the strangers." The strangers were comprised of crew members and merchants seeking financial prosperity. For 65 days, the saints and the strangers crossed the Atlantic Ocean. They suffered the winds, storms, and sickness of ocean travel as well as personal disagreements. When land was sighted off the coast of New England, the saints and strangers realized that in order to survive in the "New World", they would have to make an alliance to live in harmony. They came together and signed what is known as the Mayflower Compact, a document that stressed mutuality and community. The saints and the strangers decided upon a common name. They would call themselves, the Pilgrims. This was the first ecumenical event in this part of the New World.
That first winter in Plymouth Massachusetts was severe. Less than 50 people survived. Perhaps all of them would have died had it not been for the native American, Samoset, who showed the Pilgrims how to plant corn and fertilize the fields. By the fall of 1621, the harvest was plentiful, and the Pilgrims invited the native Americans to join in a harvest festival when they thanked God for all of the blessings in their lives. This was the first interfaith celebration in this part of the New World.
A profound sense of gratitude overcame the Pilgrims such that they were able to move beyond their fear of the Indians to a place of hospitality and generosity. And in that spirit of gratitude, they prepared a feast and freely shared their abundance with the Native Americans. Why this sense of gratitude began to fade as time went on (such that the Indians were eventually killed by the new settlers), I do not know. But what I do know is this. Gratitude is at the core of biblical faith. Gratitude is a sign of faithfulness. And it is gratitude that can move us beyond fear to a place of love.
We are here today as an ecumenical body, following the example of our brothers and sisters on the Mayflower. We are here today to give thanks to God for all the blessings in our lives. We are not here to focus on our differences, thus engendering fear. But rather we are here to display our gratitude, thus opening up our arms so wide, that we welcome everyone, wherever they are on their journey of faith.
It is said that gratitude is the best antidepressant in the world. Why is that? When we make a place in our heart for gratitude, then praise, thanksgiving, and feeling blessed, begin to grow inside. So prolific are these offshoots of gratitude, that they leave no room for despair, self-pity, cynicism, and discouragement. When we make a place in our heart for gratitude, our perception becomes one of abundance rather than scarcity. Thus we readily share our abundance with others, especially those in need.
In preparation for our feast of Thanksgiving, let us make a place in our hearts for gratitude- which sees no distinction between saint and stranger, but sees only a community of pilgrims striving for peace and justice, and respecting the dignity of every human being.