Gratitude

Reflecting on Deut 26:1-11

Haiku of first fruits

The ancient story

of foundation: Israel

is given a land.

Show your gratitude

take all of the first fruits, make

an offering to God.

Take it to the priest,

say, I have come to this land,

as God swore to us.

Our fathers wandered,

finding themselves in Egypt;

there they became slaves.

Harshly treated, we

cried out to the Lord, the God

of our ancestors.

The Lord heard our voice,

saw our affliction, our toil,

and our oppression.

The Lord brought us out

of Egypt with a strong hand

and an outstretched arm.

God gave us this land,

flowing with milk and honey.

These gifts show our thanks.

© Ken Rookes 2025

In no way would I suggest that this ancient story has relevance to the situation od Israel and Palestine today

Giving thanks

Why is this giving thanks important? In the reading set for today from Hebrew Scripture, God invited Solomon to “Ask what I should give you.” And Solomon asked for and understanding mind, to discern what is good and what is evil. [1Kings 3:9] God replied that God would give him a wise and understanding mind and more besides. Perhaps that needs to be our prayer in seeking to understand what is behind giving thanks for all things. The Psalmist [Psalm 111] gave thanks to the Lord with his whole heart. I cannot in all honesty say that I have ever given wholehearted thanks to God for Ed’s death and some of the other pain we have suffered since. But God as I know God at the moment is okay with that. I do not believe it is being held against me.

James Finley writes, “If we are absolutely grounded in the absolute love of God that protects us from nothing even as it sustains us in all things, then we can face all things with courage and tenderness and touch the hurting places in others and in ourselves with love.” [quoted by R Rohr] This is about where my understanding is at the moment. I don’t believe God does these things to us. I believe that part of life in all its fullness is about going through such experiences with God to support and encourage so that we can then support and encourage and love others.

Rev Julianne Parker

(for full sermon see sermons page)