Showing Gratitude: 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time

When was the last time you showed gratitude? It is one thing to say, “Thank You”. Yet, when we need to put an attitude towards it by showing gratitude.

I mention this because I remember something a principal told his students when he stepped into a chaotic learning environment. Each student gazed at what he was going to say next. He reminded them how much their parents are sacrificing for them to attend a Catholic school. Meanwhile, many of the students are acting out, disturbing, disrespecting the teacher, and not reaching their full potential.

The principal reminded them to show gratitude. St. Ambrose reminds us, “No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.” We can return thanks for all that we do. In the case of the high school student getting a Catholic education, the student will show gratitude with a driven attitude by excelling in academics first, then extracurricular activities like sports.

For us, we must have the same mindset if we want to be on the right path with God, who created us in his image and likeness.

First, we return gratitude and thanks to God by using our gifts and talents to bring about his kingdom.  St. Gianna Molla encourages us to “Live moment by moment and to thank God for all that he, in his goodness, sends to us day after day.”

In the gospel of Luke, Christ’s cleansing of the ten lepers reminds us that when one of them returns to Christ, Jesus tells him that "his faith has saved him". Likewise, faith in Christ can help us understand how we can give thanks to God with gratitude by doing everything in memory of him.

St. Teresa of Calcutta reminds us, “The best way to show your gratitude to God and to people is to accept everything with joy.” The leper and Naaman showed joy when God healed them.

We, too, must have joy in our hearts when showing gratitude.

Be joyful, show gratitude, and give thanks.