Unexpressed Gratitude

The whole reason for saying thanks is to let the giver of a gift know how much you appreciate something. Author G. B. Stern once said, “Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.”

When our son was young, he sometimes needed to be reminded that avoiding eye contact, looking down at his feet, and mumbling some unintelligible words was not an acceptable “thank you.” And after many years of marriage, my husband and I are still learning that it’s important for us to continually express our gratitude to each other. When one of us feels appreciative, we try to verbalize it—even if we’ve said it many times before about the same thing. William Arthur Ward said, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

Showing our gratitude is obviously important in human relationships, but it’s even more essential in our relationship with God. As we think about the many blessings we have received, do we express our thanks to Him throughout the day? And when we think of the amazing gift of His death and resurrection for forgiveness of our sins, do our hearts bubble over with awe and thanksgiving? (Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 9:15).

Take the reminder in Psalm 107:1 to heart each day: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!”

How great should be our gratitude To God our unseen Friend! The volume of His gifts to us We cannot comprehend. —Hess

God’s highest Gift should awaken our deepest gratitude.

The END

A city can be quite dazzling to a newcomer. Lights, towering buildings and huge malls catch the eyes of a new person hitting a city for the first time. One can imagine how awestruck the disciples were as they wandered around the Temple of Herod. Herod’s Temple was known for its extravagance in beauty, architecture and adornments. It was one of Herod’s main projects. Jesus turns their attention to the fact that the beauty they see will one day be no more. As a prophet, He is speaking of the destruction of the temple and the city itself, Jerusalem. Forty years after His death this was fulfilled. The destruction of the temple and city was a great blow to the people of Israel. Jesus connects the prophecy of the destruction of the temple with the end of the world. The things that will happen to Jerusalem will be the prelude to the end of the world. The world as we know it will be destroyed. Some people think the end of the world is near, judging by the catastrophes that are happening nowadays, one after the other. Luke gives his version of the eschatological discourse. It will be a dramatic sight for all. All will know the end is nigh, but Jesus reminds His followers to not be afraid, to trust in Him. I once heard of a nervous lector who, at the end of the first reading, stated triumphantly, “Brothers and sisters, this is the end of the world!” Everyone was aghast as they realized she meant, “Brothers and sisters, this is the Word of the Lord!” The language that we hear of the end times is weird indeed. It is hard to put our heads around it because it seems so other-worldly. Earthquakes and famine will occur, terror and signs in the sky will be appearing, but there is no cause for alarm. Many will say, “I am he,” referring to the anti-Christ. Many will say the time is at hand, but even Jesus mentioned He did not know the hour or day. The important thing is to be watchful and ready for the coming of the end of the world. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question: How will you spend your last day on earth?

Lord, prepare my heart for the coming of Your Son. Amen.

Sts. Mark & Stephen, pray for us.