Give Thanks to the Lord

Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

By Melanie Rigney

(Joshua told the tribes of Israel gathered at Shechem:) “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I gave you a land that you had not tilled and cities that you had not built, to dwell in; you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.” (Joshua 24:2, 13)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. (Psalms 136:1)

(Jesus said to the disciples:) “Whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.” (His) disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” He answered, “Not all can accept (this) word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.” (Matthew 19:9-19)

Piety

Lord, I beseech You for help often, but I’m not as good at saying thank You. I pledge to be more mindful today of the wondrous things You do for me.

Study

It’s easy to focus on the things that drive us a little nuts about God: those admonitions to love not only our neighbors, but ourselves. The reminders that our goal in this life is not to amass possessions or wealth, but to lead souls to the Kingdom. The need to be consistent and treat those we despise or distrust or don’t know with the same gentleness and kindness with which we greet those we love. The need to trust and have faith when bad things happen.

By contrast, what a joyous reminder today’s first reading, from Joshua, provides. God reminds the Israelites of the good things in their lives that they did nothing, absolutely nothing to create.

Like the Israelites, we can take God and His mind-blowing generosity for granted. Let this be the day that that changes. Let this be the day we begin to take note of His goodnesses, large and small, and give thanks.

Action

Select one hour today when you can write down your gratitude for everything the Lord gives you during that time: breath, sun, air, health, clothing, a place to live or work, family, friends, a sense of humor, social media, a vehicle and the means to keep it maintained… whatever you encounter. Put the list somewhere that it can be accessed easily when you question God’s love for you.