Sometimes our days flow one into another, taken up with routines that eventually become
automatic. There seems to be no time to really appreciate what is truly happening. And yet,
God has given us so much for which to be thankful.
It might take a celebration like Thanksgiving to draw us into feeling thankfulness and joy. God
has not created us to be in a constant state of anxiety. When we see the pure joy of a young
child playing, when we experience the high emotion that a dog has when it greets us at the
door, we get an inkling of what God wants for us all.
There are many situations in our lives and in the world that we need to be concerned about.
They might lead to some action on our part like caring for another or for the communities to
which we belong. As good Christians we know that in the end “all will be well” either before
the grave or on the other side. How sad it is to see Christians dispirited by life’s difficulties
while having no access to the good news that Jesus was sent to give us. “They will know we
are Christians by our love.” The results of this kind of love will lead to gratefulness and joy.
Pope Francis speaks of this love of Christ in his first letter to the Church. “The Joy of the
Gospel.”
- Share sometimes when you have experienced thankfulness and joy.
- What brings joy to your heart now?
- Does experiencing God’s love for you have an effect on your gratefulness and joy?
O God, help me experience thankfulness and joy as a sign of your love.