Thanksgiving is a special time of gratitude: vibrant fall colours, cool fresh days and nights, thoughts of family gatherings, and abundant fresh harvest. Rumi writes, ‘Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life.’
Stop for a moment and say thank you for two gifts in your life right now. Life is full of opportunities, of gifts, it happens that sometimes we have the experience but miss the meaning. This summer a group of meditators met each Thursday for prayer and community sharing. Recently we commented on the peace and harmony we are experiencing during this time together. One said, if only the whole world were praying like this how different life would be. Another commented, it feels like we know the secret for peace.
God gave us this beautiful earth out of love for our happiness. Everyone desires happiness, and happy people are grateful people. We live gratefully by becoming aware that every moment in our day is valuable, even those difficult and challenging. Those times are an invitation to transcend self in the interest of the other and live a more mature and productive life. We know by faith that this is only possible with grace. Jesus says, ‘apart from me you can do nothing’. -John 15:5
Gratitude is a heart muscle that grows through use, and Meister Eckhart says,’If the only prayer you ever say is thank you, that is enough.’
Guaranteed. Happy Thanksgiving!
-Sister Ann Marshall, csj