Today's Thoughts...

Today’s Thoughts: “To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.
 
Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.” (Thomas Merton)
 
This quote from Thomas Merton is one of my favorites because it always brings me back to what my life should be about, gratitude. Gratitude for the very gift of life itself and gratitude for God’s love that created this life.
 
We live in a world, a culture, a society, a nation, a city, a church that is too often fragmented, too often divided and too often filled with ingratitude all of which leads to violence, hate and injustice. We seem to be more willing to turn our backs on those we don’t like; those whom we think have done us wrong, those who are different than us rather than finding – the common ground, the common gift, the common presence which is God’s love for all of us.
 
St. John reminds his community, in the first reading, of just what they have, the presence of God. They are to remember that and not forget it. They are to be grateful for God’s presence and not give in to the things, the ways, and the enticements of the world. They are not to put their trust in what will pass away but in what will not!
 
Anna is a person of gratitude. She never lost faith, she never lost trust in God and we find her today giving thanks, being grateful. Anna was a person of hope who did not give in to the enticements of the world but waited patiently for God’s love.
 
As Merton tells us everything is gift, everything is grace. It is our choice – do we turn our backs on God and others or do we enter into the experience of God with gratitude and hope? For if we do it will make all the difference!
 
Have a great Saturday everyone!