Posted on 11/26/2015 6:34:01 AM PST by Salvation
True gratitude is a grace, or gift, from God. It proceeds from a humble and transformed heart. In such a case we do not render thanks merely because it is polite or expected, or because God commands it, but because it naturally flows from a profound experience of gratitude. The “command” of Scripture to give thanks is not a moralism, but a truth and a description of what flows from a transformed heart.
Thus, an anointing to seek from God is the powerful transformation of our intellect and our heart so that we become deeply aware of the remarkable gift that is everything we have. As this awareness deepens so does our gratitude and joy at the “magnificent munificence” of our God. Everythingâliterally everythingâis a gift from God.
Permit me a few thoughts on the basis for a deepening awareness of gratitude. Ultimately, gratitude is a grace, but having a deeper awareness of its intellectual basis can help to open us more fully to this gift.
Ultimately, gratitude is a gift to be received from God. We ought to ask for it humbly. We can dispose ourselves to it by reflecting on things such as those discussed above, but ultimately gratitude comes from a humble, contrite, and transformed heart. Saying "thank you" is not a moralism. True gratitude is a grace, a gift that comes from a heart deeply moved, astonished, and aware of the fact that all is gift.
Monsignor Pope Ping!
Getting the title fixed.
A Thanksgiving Reflection
Tenacity: A Thanksgiving Lesson
On The Grace of Gratitude – A Thanksgiving Meditation
Father Corapi: This Thanksgiving, Give Thanks For What You Have [blurry screen alert]
This Thanksgiving, Give Thanks For What You Have And For What You Have Lost!
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] Prayer for the Church and for Civil Authorities
Giving Thanks for the Hard Things in Life
100 Reasons to be Thankful, Even in Hard Times
Let Us Give Thanks (even in these difficult times)
Thanksgiving Day
Been thinking about this sort of thing lately. No, I’m not “more blessed than I deserve.” I am quite sure the human race was created to be “blessed”. I am convinced it is our birthright. I am convinced you “deserve” it in the same way a tire “deserves” to roll.
It is only that we are beguiled by evil through a fault that we might not choose but was bred into us anyway that we require mercy. So, yeah, I’m thankful for the care that is provided on the field of a battle which I was born into.
Wow, right on target.
These words are critically important. Remember, Jesus said that all the things that He did were merely to assist in teaching His Father’s message and were actually done by His Father working through Him.
I’ve been wrestling with this for the past few years. Many miracles happen through me and people want to express their gratitude toward me. I feel their Love and it is tempting to accept it. However, my words are always the same.(Almost always as sometimes I forget.) “All gratitude goes to God by going within in prayer, not to me.”
Recently I was betrayed by someone who helped me out of a burdensome situation that was beyond my time and capacity to complete. I needed a person with really good clerical ability and organizational skills to run several conferences as I did not have the time. I prayed and prayed for for the right person to appear in my life and “PRESTO” they appeared. The burden they lifted off me was so great that I felt unbelievable gratitude toward them every day. I forgot to express the gratitude for their appearing and helping me toward God! What happened was that just as “Love is blind to a person’s faults” so is gratitude toward another person’s faults. It became an important lesson and a big ouch. (I much prefer to learn my lessons by observing other’s experiences rather than learning from the school of hard knocks where the class colors are black & blue!) I was blind to the person’s actions as they were betraying me at the same time they were helping me. Now I feel much gratitude toward God for bringing them to me so I could learn this important lesson. Yes, I forgive them and myself.
Now praying again as I need to replace this person!!!
I’ve always done my recruiting through prayer. And my marketing...
bkmk
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