Campus Ministries: Catholic Ministries

LIVING IN GRATITUDE

It's so easy to take life for granted. Every morning when we awaken there's another whole day lying before us, just like there was yesterday, and the day before. Most of those days we probably didn't have to worry too much about life's basic's--food, clothing, roof, family, friends. Day following upon day, season upon season, can become routine. Nothing much to get excited about.

But the longer I've lived the more grateful I've become for each day, and for all it brings. What a gift, a privilege, a joy it is to be alive today. What a wonder it is to breath the earth's air, to feel the warm sun or the cold rain, to float through the moments of each day.

Life, and all it contains, is totally gratuitous, 100% gift. I didn't bring myself into existence, nor is it I who keep myself going. I'm merely the recipient of this awesome gift. I didn't create the molecules of air I breath in, nor the photons of light that strike my eye. It's all gift. Each moment, every beat of my heart, each electronic impulse within my brain, every mouthful of food I eat, and thread of clothing I wear, each person that cares for me, and those that don't, they are all a blessing, the work of a Hand infinitely greater than my own.

Countless creatures and generations have come before us. But right now it's our turn, to walk the beautiful earth, to drink its refreshing waters, to work through its challenges, to be born and give birth, to love and be loved, to grow and share, to suffer and die. Our moment in earth's history is brief, a mere spark in the night, and it's no good trying to hold on to it. It's for us to enjoy and celebrate, to relish each day and cherish each person, but to hold all things gently, ever ready to let go.

The only reasonable response to the gift of life is gratitude--gratitude to the Creator as a constant disposition of heart. Gratefulness of heart is a humble acknowledgment of our indebtedness, our creatureliness. It is expressed more in making good use of our gifts, and sharing them, than in words. Living in gratitude we are always praying, praising and thanking our bountiful God for the wondrous gift of life.

And in the evening, when I lie in bed and end my prayers with the words, "I thank you, God, for all that is good and clear and beautiful," I am filled with joy.... I don't think then of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains.... My advice is: "Go outside, to the fields, enjoy nature and the sunshine, go out and try to recapture happiness in yourself and in God. Think of all the beauty that's still left in and around you and be happy!" ...I've found that there is always some beauty left--in nature, sunshine, freedom, in yourself: these can all help you. Look at these things, then you find yourself again, and God, and then you regain your balance.
                                                    Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
                                                                                Tuesday, 7 March, 1944

Ronald Stanley, O.P.

For additional articleS relating to this topic see:

I NEED TO PRAY

I GIVE YOU MY HEART

WHO NEEDS GOD?