A Thanksgiving Day prayer to be shared and prayed: Dear God, we thank you for this meal and for all the hands that helped prepare it. We give you thanks most of all for the gift of your Son, Jesus. Please bless the food we eat, all who are gathered today to share it, and all our loved ones who can't be with us today. Amen.

Today we come closer to the end of the Church year. Next Sunday we’ll celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King. This marks the very last Sunday in the Church’s calendar. Our readings during these last few weeks speak in a clear voice God’s message: “The end will come, so be prepared!” How are we preparing ourselves spiritually?

The words of sacred Scripture aren’t meant to simply be heard. We’re invited to reflect upon them and incorporate what they’re teaching us into our lives. I offer the Beatitudes and invite you to pray with them. Ask yourself, “Am I making the Beatitudes my identity card? Am I living them as I strive for holiness each day?”

Lord God, as the election approaches, we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city/state/country, and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.