May the Lord give you peace and grace in the Holy Spirit.
It is 30th December 2021. We reflect on 1 John 1:12-17 and Luke 2:36-40
A married couple went for a walk nearby garden. All of sudden a stray dog came towards. Both knew that it was about to bite them. So, the husband lifted the wife above his shoulders to save her from the dog. The dog stood there barking at them and disappeared. As the husband dropped the wife expected words of gratitude or a hug from her but in turn, the wife shouted at him yelling, ‘I’ve seen people throw stone and sticks at dogs, this the first time I see someone tried to throw his wife.”
Having spoken about light and darkness in today’s passage he focuses on spirit and flesh.
St. John addresses exclusively to children, parents, and young people about three worldly values that want to gain prime attention in life pushing the values of the kingdom aside. The desire of the flesh, the eyes, and pride in possession symbolise our leaning towards the physical desires, jealousy, bad temper, and arrogance acquired by wealth. It is indeed difficult to be grateful when we are ruled by worldly values.
We are on the last but one day to New Year. We all owe a big thanks to God and the humanity around us. “If the only prayer you said in your entire life was, ‘thank you,’ that would be enough,” says Meister Eckhart.
Gratitude is nothing but a positive evaluation of others. Cicero said that gratitude is not only the greatest virtue but also the parent of all the other virtues.
Having listened to the canticles of three people the past few days, today we have a prophetess named Anna, 84 years old widow a grateful person, resided at the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. Her life was the canticle of thanksgiving to the Child Jesus. Prayer is the highest form of gratitude in relating with God.
Thomas Merton summarizes, “Gratitude takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder.”
Let us sing a canticle of gratitude to God for all that God has done to us.