On Giving Thanks

From the "In the Spirit of Transparency"
Nov. 23, 2001

We give thanks to You, Father God, for making us fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light (Col 1:12).

Consider for a moment what the Lord has done for us and for our community:

• The grace of a profound personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, who rescued us from our worldly life to bring us- as individuals, couples, families and a community- to a lasting reconciliation with our Triune God.

• The gift of God’s constant presence among us through His Holy Spirit, who directs, empowers, safeguards and sustains our new life in Jesus.

• The blessing of a loving communion as one body of Christ, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail.

We did not deserve these and all His other blessings, yet God in His love and goodness deemed to bestow them on us as our share of His inheritance. Thus, “we ought to give thanks to God always, for we are brethren loved by the Lord, because God chose us as the firstfruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in truth” 2 Thes 2:13.

How can we best express our gratitude to God for all that He has done for us? Let us consider the following ways, as applied to the 5 W’s of community life:

Worship- Be faithful in keeping our Friday night appointment with the Lord. Endeavor to bring the entire family to worship. Seek to commune with Him by yielding our total self to His Spirit. Deepen our prayer life. Receive the Eucharist often, if not daily.

Word- Be immersed in the Word by reading and studying it daily. Share God’s Word with others. Regularly attend the community’s teachings and support spiritual growth provided through community by seeking related Church teachings.

Work- Live up to our responsibilities to our primary ministry- our family. Actively participate in the work of our assigned ministry and mission apostolate. Extend our ministry to those outside our community- particularly to our home parish and diocese. Perform your tasks at the workplace as if you are doing it for Jesus.

Witness- Consistently proclaim the Lordship of Jesus in our lives by exemplifying His life, work and teachings. Radiate the love of Jesus to others. Practice Christian speech and fraternal correction. Be an advocate for unity, peace and justice.

Warfare- Pray unceasingly for others. Constantly invoke the power of Jesus in the life of others through Christian service. Be an advocate of the Lord’s values to society. Detach ourselves from human or material idols. Fight the good fight of faith.

“So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Col 2:7