Sunday Reflections

Cultivating Generous Gratitude

All of us since our childhood were raised to say thank you when someone has done something good for us. While this is undoubtedly a positive act, it can lead us to developing the mentality that thanksgiving is a mere matter of politeness. The deeper sense of gratitude exemplified by the one leper who returned to thank Jesus in the Gospel surpasses mere kind manners. The Gospel recalls that he “prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him.”

The act of returning to Jesus and prostrating himself cost something to the leper, it required his effort, time and humility. We can learn from his example and learn to go out of our way in order to express our profound gratitude to God and our neighbour. With respect to God, we can set aside time in prayer to intentionally thank the Lord for the abundant gifts He graciously lavishes on us.

When thanking our neighbour, perhaps we can include a physical thank you card, a small token of appreciation or express our thanks by spending time with them. Let us ask ourselves this Thanksgiving weekend, how are we moving past mere politeness to sincere acts of gratitude towards God and neighbour. In this way, we can practice generosity even while expressing our gratitude.

Summary

The one leper who returned and prostrated himself before Jesus shows us the true model of gratitude towards God and neighbour because it required his effort, time and humility. When thanking God, we can set aside time in prayer to intentionally thank Him for the abundant gifts He lavishes upon us. When thanking our neighbour, perhaps we can include a physical thank you card, a small token of appreciation or express our thanks by spending time with them.

https://www.archtoronto.org/stewardship