October 22, 2004

Why is gratitude so important for our spiritual lives?

St. Paul counsels us to “be thankful” (Col 3:18, NIV) and to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1Thes 5:18, NIV). And Jesus Himself sets the example for us by thanking the Father for always hearing Him (Jn 11:41-42) and giving Him thanks when He multiplied the loaves (Mt 15: 36, Mk 8:6, Jn 6:11) and celebrated the Last Supper (Mt 26:27, Mk 14:23, Lk 22:17, 19). Indeed, that is what the word “Eucharist” means: thanksgiving (cf. CCC 1328). As friars minor, we also have the example of our Holy Father Francis, whose prayer was more than anything one of thanksgiving. In the extended prayer found in chapter 23 of his Rule of 1221, the continual refrain rings out: “We thank you…”

Why and how is thankfulness so important to our salvation, and why is what St. Cyril of Alexandria calls “thankless forgetfulness” so ugly and dangerous? There are at least two reasons, I think...

First, gratitude preserves us from presumption in both our relationship with God and with other human beings. Without it, our awareness is dulled and we begin by “taking for granted” God and others. From there it’s a short step to “taking advantage” and even “taking liberties,” that is falling into sin and infidelity.

Gratitude also prevents us from falling into a “give and take” relationship with God and others, a kind of “entitlement mentality:” I do what He wants and He does what I want; I follow the rules and He pays me back – after all I earned it, I deserve it, it’s my right. This was a flaw in the Pharisees’ understanding of the Old Testament Law, and easily tends toward legalism, self-righteousness and stinginess. The problem is that it completely loses sight of the fundamental aspect of “the gift” in our relationship with God: the gift of life, our abilities, the opportunities we’ve had, grace, faith, friendship with God, salvation and eternal life.

Faith enables us to recognize the gift, and gratitude is the only adequate response.

Fr. Herald J. Brock, CFR
Local Servant, Convento San Serafin, Comayagua, Honduras
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