Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. It's a special day that focuses on gratitude. I'd like to share some thoughts with you...

I am very thankful to live in one of the richest places on earth. Not only are we materialy blessed, but because of our government and legal structure we have wonderful freedoms and opportunities to produce and accomplish. There is no place quite like it on earth. I've been around. I know.

While I may glow in thoughts of gratitude, I cannot forget that this world is suffering and groaning. I've been around. I know. I have seen people who are really oppressed and who are really poor. Their status will not change in this life and they will die in their misery.

After seeing the anguish of Chernobyl, of Africa, of Soviet and post-Soviet times and seeing people who have had their health destroyed, dignity stripped and children's future stymied, I am forced to ask, "what is my responsibility to these people?" Is there anything I can do NOW, when it might matter?

Can I save the world? No, neither I nor a group of people can do that right now. But, I can save another human from death. I CAN guarantee a life to a child in Malawi. I CAN help rehabilitate a radiated victim of Chernobyl. I CAN help relocate a human from Tajikistan and save them from the savegery of religious and civil war. I can't save the world, but I can save some lives.

While I look to a world of ideals that will be the answer to "Thy Kingdom Come," I must also think about the here and now and what I see can be done. What is basic religion? The Bible speaks of pure religion as personally caring for and helping others. There must be a little of the Good Samaritan in all of us to be truly Christians.

In the Matthew 25 scenario of the Judgment when Christ returns and the dead are raised, the first questions asked the newly resurrected are what have you done to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and house to homeless? We should pay special attention to these questions because those who answer in the affirmative will gain entry into eternal life. Those who ignored the needs about them will not be saved. It's as simple as that.

Christ is concerned first with how we look out for others. It seems that the first questions that will be asked us are not about how "right" or "righteous" we were. The first questions are not a test about what we knew. Nobody really cares about what you know or how you can explain or count. From the beginning when God asked Cain about what happened to Abel and the response was, "am I my brother's keeper?" the answer is still YES.

These are just a few thoughts that I thought I'd share with you. Happy Thanksgiving!

--Victor Kubik (vkubik@gmail.com)

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