Gratitude

By Sister Susan Chase, SCL

“There is something essential about November,” wrote poet Sister Mary Janet  McGilley, SCL.  As I reflect on this one line, my memories of late autumn in the Midwest bring to mind stripped down trees, harvested fields, gardens put to bed, ready for the fallow time to come.  November is a time to harvest gratitude, gratitude for all the blessings and graces that we have received over our lifetime, during this past summer, and this day.

Celebrations of the Communion of Saints in a way bookend November. So, this November, as we celebrate the Feasts of All Souls, Days of the Dead, and All Saints we give thanks for all those who have loved and mentored us, those whose lives inspire us, and those honored for heroic virtue. We remember and pray for – or to – our families and friends who have entered life eternal. We give thanks that we, the faithful on earth, join in spiritual solidarity with those who have died forming one body in Christ, the Church nourished by the sacramental life.

Gratitude is essential. As Dominican theologian and mystic, Meister Eckhart says, “If the only prayer you say your whole life is ‘thank you’ that would suffice.” As Jesus often does in the parables, M. Eckhart is surely exaggerating to make the point. Gratitude is essential in our relationship with the Divine.

The story of the ten lepers from the Gospel of Luke comes to mind. “Finding himself cured one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. . . .This made Jesus say, ‘Were not all them made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems to me that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’ “

An attitude of gratitude benefits us in so many ways. Many people have begun keeping a Gratitude Journal in which they record the ‘gifts’ they have noticed and for which they give thanks. Noticing increases our awareness of blessings we can often take for granted.

As Brother David Steindl-Rast describes this progression. “As I express my gratitude, I become more deeply aware of it. And the greater my awareness, the greater my need to express it. What happens here is a spiraling ascent, a process of growth in ever expanding circles around a steady center.”

When gratitude becomes habitual, it becomes the lens through which we view, not just our lives in hindsight, but the present moment. Gratitude opens our hearts to those moments of grace we receive from our loving God leading us to greater kindness and generosity. With open hearts, our awareness of Reality deepens; we see all we have received. Gratitude frees us from compulsive consumerism and unhealthy competition. Gratitude not only opens our eyes to see all we have received but lifts our hearts to the wonder of true joy.

The Marillac staff invite you to consider our upcoming offerings as honoring the fullness of gratitude: Sister Mary Pat Johnson will present an Introduction to the contemplative practice of Centering Prayer, November 16.

Looking ahead to December, the series, Linger Over Coffee, will resume Dec. 3, 10, 17 focusing on the theme, “Praying with the Saints in Advent.” The Vincentian Family is invited to gather for an Advent Day of Prayer on December 6.

Please check out the Marillac Web Page for additional information about our events and to register.

As we gather with family and friends around the table of the Thanksgiving feast, let us be filled with grateful hearts. Let us remember also those excluded from tables of plenty. Fill our Hearts, O Lord, with compassion and generosity.

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