In 1972 the great songwriter (and ok singer) Kris Kristofferson came out with his autobiographical song, Why Me Lord. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtQOY-0sViQ
It was a big hit for him but more, it gave listeners an insight into his faith and inner thinking about his life. Kristofferson had, and still has, a reputation as a drinker, druggie, and someone who lived a wild life. Some of that reputation is from movie roles like A Star is Born, which he starred in with Barbara Streisand, but I think it’s fair to say, at least to some extent, his reputation is well earned.
The great king David, who had his own problems with sin, asked a similar question as Kristofferson, about 1100 years earlier. In 2 Samuel 7, in a section called David’s Thanksgiving in the NAB, David prays, “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house, that you should have brought me so far?”
I mention this as we’re approaching Thanksgiving. While we should be thankful every day we do that in a special way at Thanksgiving. Being introspective will lead most of us to ask the same question Kristofferson asked, why me? Why was I chosen and invited into communion with the creator of the universe, the all knowing and all powerful God? We certainly didn’t earn it and, truth be told, we probably have some things in our past that might have disqualified us were this a merit based system of salvation. But that’s the point. No matter what we do, we can’t earn God’s love and we can’t save ourselves. What did Simon and James and John do to be called by Christ and to become His closest disciples and apostles? It wasn’t their skill as fishermen that got them invited to “follow me“.
So it is with us. The God who loved us into existence and who continues to do so, has invited us into communion with Him in an act of pure love. His Holy Spirit, like the wind, blows where it will. His Son, Jesus Christ, came to give us the chance to be reconciled with the Father and to show us the way. That way is the way of love. We sometimes complicate things by asking why me.
This week let’s spend some time thinking of all the gifts God has given us and being truly thankful for them. St. Paul said about the Theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love, that love is the greatest. The greatest gift we have been given is also love, especially the love made human in Jesus. Let’s also consider how we’re doing at passing that love on to our family, friends, and enemies too.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading.
I hope you have a great Thanksgiving week.
Peace, Bob
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