Gratitude is one of the greatest human and Christian virtues. Giving thanks means recognising that, if we are what we are, we owe it to others: life, education, culture, Christian testimony… Nothing and no-one have passed through our lives in vain, even though we have forgotten, even though we may never recognise that they have played, and continue to play, an important role for us. Without the favour of many people, we would not be who we are.
Giving thanks is a sign of humility, it is the recognition that we are limited and need the help of others. St Paul says, ‘What have you that you have not received?’ (1Cor 4:7). Giving thanks produces optimism and joy in ourselves and the person who has done us good. It is to deepen, reinforce, foment good; reaffirm that good exists and therefore cultivate it, give it life, value it.
To start and finish the day giving thanks makes us see the positive in life, while keeping our feet on the ground in the realism of limited things. Giving thanks for the gift of life, of faith, of vocation, of love…, of the good that we may hope to do during the day ahead or throughout the day that has finished… Giving thanks in advance for those we are going to meet or have met, for the good received and which we have tried to do…
Giving thanks means valuing good and disposing oneself to the good. Because everyone one is both hunger and bread: everyone needs others and can give to others. No-one is so ‘rich’ that he does not need something, neither is anyone so ‘poor’ that he cannot give something. This includes giving thanks because we are aware of good and, consequently, giving thanks because we are capable of giving thanks.
Am I grateful or do I tend to only see the negative in myself and others? Are my expressions of thanks merely polite formulas or do they come from the heart?