(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: http://brothersinchristcmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Mass-Blog-for-the-3rd-Sunday-in-Advent-2021.mp3)
“The abundance of a grateful heart gives honor to God even if it does not turn to Him in words. An unbeliever who is filled with thanks for his very being has ceased to be an unbeliever.” – Paul Tillich, German-American Christian philosopher
There is nothing God loves more than a grateful lover. Gratitude can’t be faked. It shows in our being. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t give us many opportunities to give thanks. We have to take them.
As we approach Christmas, Advent teaches us that the best way to feel gratitude is to do something for someone who can’t repay you. Those opportunities abound, whether by volunteering to deliver meals to shut-ins or simply by checking in on your widowed neighbor periodically.
The joy that comes from answering someone’s need is illustrated in this Sunday’s readings. The first from Zephaniah (Zep 3:14-18a) reminds us that God lives with, and loves, joyful givers, and rewards them by compounding their investment.
The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.
Paul teaches us that joy removes fear and prayer multiplies joy (Phil 4:4-7).
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
That peace comes when we show God our gratitude for all we have—every blessing we tend to take for granted while the world distracts us with its shiny objects. In Sunday’s gospel (Lk 3:10-18), John the Baptist is surrounded by people who are dissatisfied with what they have and long for something more—something they can’t define but feel that John can help them discover.
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
Then John promises the arrival of someone who will give them something for which they will be eternally grateful: a lesson in how to love. That gift Jesus gave from the cross is greater than all the Old-Testament burnt offerings and all the modern-day cyber “thank-you” notes we moderns send into the electronic ether. The spirit of true gratitude we share with each other is the incense that rises from our soul’s altar to a God we may not know we already know.
–Tom Andel
Gratitude is the attitude that brings us closer to God. As simple as saying thank you Jesus. I believe this opens our mind and heart to the love He has for us. It lets Jesus know we don’t take his love for us for granted.
When people do a kindness for us, it is only natural to be grateful. Jesus shows his love and goodness to us countless times every day. How often do we simply say, “thank you Jesus”?
The people in our lives are God’s blessings in action. The hymn, “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” is both a great reminder for us and a great way to show our gratitude to God.
“The spirit of true gratitude we share with each other is the incense that rises from our soul’s altar to a God we may not know we already know.”
Insightful and inspiring. I am thankful for your work Tom
This work is inspired by the work of people like you, Ron, who’ve dedicated their lives to the well-being of others. The gratitude that inspires is the essence of holiness. Our Blessed Mother was conceived in holiness, and her gratitude is expressed in The Magnificat (a Latin phrase meaning “My soul magnifies the Lord.”). Mary gives voice to all of us who experience God’s goodness in each other: “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his humble servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.” Together we are called to make that name our own.
I believe that all prayer should begin with gratitude. It sets the tone and the rest will flow! I would also highly recommend this book. The author is a monk who has been a wonderful guide to me:
Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer: An Approach to Life in Fullness by David Steindl-Rast
Thank you for that recommendation, Deacon Neal. I’m sure it will be the answer to someone’s prayer.