How many times have we heard a parent, or as parents, remind children, that after they receive a gift or a kind gesture, they should say ‘Thank You’? “Now, what do you say?” … “Thank You”, is the often shy or reluctant response. For some strange reason, it appears gratitude and thanksgiving need to be taught.
But even as adults, we often say, ‘Thank You’, more as a matter of social propriety. As we fine-tune ourselves over the years, building up our personal identity and independence, gratitude seems to fall off the map of our awareness. Instead, we indulge in what author, Thomas Troeger, calls, “the illusion of self-sufficiency”. Barbara Ehreneich published a self-help book called, The Selfish Side of Gratitude. She references a psychology professor at UofC, Robert Emmons, who contends gratitude stimulates immune systems, lowers blood pressure, and creates good feelings. Barbara says, “If there is any loving involved in this, it is self-love.” But this has little connection with the earnest prayers of Thanks offered to God throughout scripture. “It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere, to give you ‘Thanks’, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord.” Troegger, in The End of Preaching, says, “Such gratitude is based not upon how well life is going, but upon the recognition we did absolutely nothing to bring ourselves into existence, that every breath is borrowed air, that to live is to receive and to answer back …: Thank you, Lord, Thank you!” Elijah was too focused inwardly, preoccupied with sorrow and fear. He had to listen outside himself to gratefully hear God’s voice. Peter was too focused inwardly on himself while walking upon the water, and his false self-sufficiency failed him. How grateful he was when Jesus extended his saving hands outwardly to help him. Prayers of confession, supplication, and intercession are prayers of asking, and are definitely critical to nourishing our relationship with God. But prayers of true ‘Thanksgiving’ provide the spiritually healthy balance we need between asking and giving. Receiving our breath, life itself, with intense ‘Gratitude’ to our Creator, is the ultimate act of joyful humility and outward, loving ‘Thanks’ to God, our Father. As we take our breath and feel the beat of our hearts, let us pray together: “Now Thank We All Our God With hearts, and hands, and voices! Who wondrous things has done, In whom the world rejoices; Who from our mother’s arms, Has blest us on our way, With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today!” – Amen – NUN DANKET, by Martin Rinkart (1586-1649). Rev Fr Christopher Tracey, Pastor Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Parish Saugeen Shores, Ontario
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Father's Blog
Rev. Fr. Christopher Tracey
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