by Zigfred Diaz
Several Sundays ago, I was asked to speak on the subject of thanksgiving. The Holy Spirit, led me to Luke 17 verses 11 to 19. This is quite a familiar story among Christians. The text tells the short story of ten lepers who begged Jesus for mercy. They were then instructed by Jesus to show themselves to the priests. While they were going there, they discovered that they were healed. Sadly, only one of them returned to thanks Jesus, and he was a Samaritan.
As a firm believer in the full exposition of Scripture, I dug deeper into the words used in the text. Among the words that interest me was the Greek word for “Thanks.” The Greek word used is the word “eucharisteo” where we get our word for “Eucharist.” This word is the same word used by Christ, whenever the Gospel tells us that Christ gave thanks for a meal. This is almost always the same word used by the Apostle Paul when writes his opening statements in his epistles.
Interestingly enough, eucharisteo literally means eu = good, well + a form of charis = to favor or thank; to respond to a good favor. Eucharisteo is also used as the verbs form of “favor” or “Charis” in Greek, the modern translation being “Grace.”
November 19, 2007 – 2:50 am
by Aazdak Alisimo
Yikes! We are already into the winter holidays. It seems like summer just ended. While you may not be ready for the holidays yet, that doesn’t mean that you can’t appreciate them. Consider the following reflections on the Thanksgiving holiday.
Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude. - E.P. Powell
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. - John F. Kennedy
Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often. - Johnny Carson
Got no check books, got no banks. Still I’d like to express my thanks - I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night. - Irving Berlin
Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. - W T Purkiser
November 19, 2007 – 2:45 am
by Aazdak Alisimo
The holiday season comes upon us so quickly that it can be easy to lose perspective of why we are having a holiday. As these notable people comment on sometimes in seriousness and sometimes in humor, it is about giving thanks.
Stand up, on this Thanksgiving Day, stand upon your feet. Believe in man. Soberly and with clear eyes, believe in your own time and place. There is not, and there never has been a better time, or a better place to live in. - Phillips Brooks
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. - John F. Kennedy
Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often. - Johnny Carson
An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day. - Irv Kupcinet
Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. - W T Purkiser
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