November 1, 2021

Gratitude and happiness go hand in hand. The people I know who live their lives in gratitude for the blessings God has bestowed upon them are the ones who are also the most joyful.

The good news is that gratitude is a decision. It’s not a trait you’re born with or born without. With every life event that comes our way, we have a choice in how we respond. When a loved one is called home to God, do we curse him for taking them away or thank him for the time we had with them? When our financial situation changes for the worst, do we curse God because our cashflow is diminished or thank him that we are still so much more fortunate than countless others around the world? When we become ill, do we curse God for the sickness or thank him for the giving us faith to help us through it? These are real life decisions that most of us will face, and real decisions we can make about how we choose to cope.

I am fortunate to meet people quite frequently who understand that God has been generous to them and that they should, in turn, help those who are less fortunate. As we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas, I am constantly reminded and overwhelmed by the kindness shown to the young people at Mercy Home. Every year, young children donate their allowance to make sure that our boys and girls have a safe and nurturing home. I meet entire families who join together to donate presents for our children, rather than buying Christmas presents for themselves. These wonderful people remind me that gratitude is not passive—it is most vividly lived by those who understand that God blesses them so that they may then extend the Lord’s mercy to others.

This November, as we celebrate Thanksgiving by offering our thanks to God for all he has given us, I encourage you to reflect on the true nature of gratitude and the role it plays in your life. Please know that you are a blessing to the entire Sunday Mass community. I wish you and your loved ones all the blessings of this special time of year. Please know that my prayers, as well as the prayers of the entire Mercy Home family, are with you. Happy Thanksgiving!