LIVING A LIFE OF GRATITUDE
The Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Happy Thanksgiving! Today, I would like to suggest a slight change of one letter in the word ‘Thanksgiving’. That is to replace the first letter “G” with the letter “L”, making it Thanks-Living. Yes, let us try our best to live our lives in “an attitude of gratitude” for all the blessings that we have received from Almighty God.
Although today is a federal holiday and a national celebration of the blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon this land for many centuries, we can make it our own day to reflect on the abundant blessings of the dear Lord upon each one of us. We hear in today’s Communion antiphon, “How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?” (Ps. 138:1).
The account of the cleansing of the ten lepers, with only one of them returning, glorifying God and giving thanks after his healing, can be an eye opener for us. How often do we petition the Lord for a favor or a blessing, and then when it occurs, do we make sure to give him thanks for his generosity to us?
This is why I recommend that we all adopt an attitude of gratitude, giving thanks and praise to the Lord in all things for His generosity and goodness. The Holy Word of God is full of admonitions to give thanks to the Lord. As we hear in the Book of Tobit, “acknowledge the many good things the Lord has done for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song” (Tb 12:6).
The First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians encourages believers to give thanks in all circumstances, recognizing it is God’s will for them in Christ Jesus (5:18). Notice Paul does not say “Give thanks for all circumstances.” We surely can’t be thankful for everything that happens, especially this year. But as we reflect on this year, we learn to adopt a new mindset. When we are living through circumstances, we begin to look around and treat the circumstance as a place, space, or person to find room for gratitude, humility, and growth. We give thanks in the middle of all circumstances. As St. James advises us, rejoice always and pray continually. He emphasizes the importance of gratitude even amid difficult times (1:2-3).
These verses and many more emphasize for us the importance of gratitude and thankfulness in our daily lives and encourage us to express appreciation for the Lord’s providential care and generosity to us. And so, as we gather this day with family and friends, let us all take a moment to thank the Lord, like that leper who returned and expressed his gratitude to Christ who healed him. And may we also ask that Our Lord continue to bless our land, and may we be mindful of those who are less fortunate than ourselves, asking the Lord to keep them in his tender and merciful care.