May 21, 2024
The saints had a way of thinking that can thoroughly confound the rest of us and leave us scratching our heads in amazement … or confusion. As confusing as their thinking may seem, they all share the same view, especially when it comes to something like gratitude. Consider, for example, these often-quoted words from St. Paul in his Letter to the Ephesians: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
That’s hard advice to take, especially when someone you love dies.
St. Faustina shared that view and was always thanking God, despite the many crosses she carried, even though she couldn’t understand why he permitted them to occur and couldn’t comprehend how they might be part of his plan for her life. In her diary she wrote: “I thank you, Jesus, who first drank the cup of bitterness before You gave it to me, in a much milder form…. I want to drink the cup to its last drop and not seek to know the reason why…. In You, O Lord, is all good, all is a gift of Your paternal Heart. I do not prefer consolations over bitterness or bitterness over consolations, but thank You, O Jesus, for everything!
St. Teresa of Avila shared that view: “In all created things discern the providence and wisdom of God, and in all things give Him thanks.”
So did St. Gianna Beretta Molla: “The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us every day in His goodness.”
And St. Theresa of Calcutta: “The best way to show my gratitude to God is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy.”
And St. Therese of Lisieux: “Jesus does not demand great action from us but simply surrender and gratitude.”
***
Sign Up for Healing Journey Messages
Receive a daily message to your email address.