Reflection for Wednesday, November 14, 2001: 32nd week in Ordinary Time.
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Authors
Gabuzda, Richard, Rev.
Issue Date
2001-11-14
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Essay
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en_US
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Abstract
Gratitude: God's Gift to Us|He never said that they weren't grateful. The "other nine" lepers whom Jesus had cured may have been quite glad to be free of their terrible malady-but we don't hear them say that and, neither, apparently, did Jesus. Only one returned and gave thanks. Yes, it's one thing to be thankful; it's another to express the thanks, especially to God.|Expressing gratitude to God is not merely an instance of "being nice" to God; it's not quite of the same sort of thanks which we write or call to a friend or relative who has given a gift. Expressing thanks to God draws us more deeply into relationship with God. The words of a weekday preface for daily Mass put it beautifully: "You have no need of our praise, yet our desire to thank you is itself your gift." Our desire to thank is a gift of God . . . it's been placed deep within us so as to move us even more closely to God.|What are you grateful to God for at this very moment? Does the very thought of one or many things surface in you a desire to give thanks? That desire is God's gift to you. So, seize the moment, express that thanks, draw near to God.
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University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.
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Lectionary number: 493