Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 46 Faults Committed Elsewhere
Mass: Dan 1:1-6, 8-20; Resp Ps (Dn 3); Lk 21:1-4
LET US GIVE THANKS TO GOD, WHOSE LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.
As Americans prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, our underlying themes for the week will be thanksgiving and gratitude. I just started with a study edition of St Therese of Lisieux's Story of a Soul (trans. J. Clarke, ICS Publications, 2005) and the first reflection with question following Ch 1 of Manuscript A reads: "There is much wisdom in the old admonition to count one's blessings, for the more we are aware of how we are blessed by God, the happier we are. Conversely, when we take things for granted, our happiness decreases because our awareness of how much we are blessed is diminished. When was the last time you reflected upon how truly blessed your life is?" (p. 38).
It is the spirit of gratitude which draws upon us the overflow of God's grace, for no sooner have we thanked Him for one blessing than he hastens to send us ten additional favors in return. Then, when we show our gratitude for these new gifts, He multiplies His benedictions to such a degree that there seems to be a constant stream of divine grace ever coming our way.
(Therese of Lisieux, p. 37, original source endnote, p. 45)
We can also look to the poor widow in today's gospel. I think she was a woman who counted her blessings. Because of this, she was able to offer her whole livelihood (Lk 21:4).
SAINT CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA,
PRAY FOR US.
© Gertrude Feick 2019
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