The whole gospel for this week is made up of words of prayer that Jesus offers for his disciples and the community of his followers. When I think of all the ways that Jesus was an example for us of how to live and how to become all that we are created to be, I don’t often think about his prayer for us. So as I reflect on those words from the second reading for this Sunday from the first letter of John, I realize that I am still coming to know and to believe in the love God has for me. It becomes so much more real when I recognize the ways that Jesus put his love into action. I am reminded of the things I can do to show my love and care for others. I can see a clear path to growing to my full potential.

God’s love and care for us extend to every dimension of our lives. It is most apparent in the many blessings I receive every day, although my vision is often obscured by the challenges and problems I encounter every day. So I decided that a first step to motivate me to put my love for others more into action is to stop to literally count my blessings. At the 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday evening, I was blessed by the presence of one of the surest signs of God’s love in my life: my mother. For me the blessing was magnified by the thoughtfulness of my brother and sister who brought her, realizing how much she would want to attend Mass with me for Mother’s Day, and also how difficult it would be for me to make that happen on a busy weekend. That’s three big blessings right there! It makes me realize I can spend more time thinking about how I can facilitate people getting together with people they love when I have the time to invite and transport them.

On Sunday, I was blessed by the many devoted parents who brought their children to receive the Eucharist for the first time. They had participated in our Eucharist workshops and taken responsibility to help their children grow in faith and be ready for this important step in their faith journey. They showed such love and attentiveness to their children, and the joy of the event was contagious. I realize I am losing count of my blessings already! It makes me realize I can spend more time and attention looking for opportunities to help others grow, to participate with them in activities that support that growth, not only in faith but in all the ways people strive to reach their full human potential.

That same morning, several people took the time to seek me out to tell me that they had enjoyed the Mass and commented on aspects of the experience of worship. It was a real blessing that people took the time to encourage me in my work. It is so easy to be your own worst critic. More blessings! It makes me realize I need to look for ways to encourage people who do things that I appreciate and value and encourage them with affirmation. Along the same lines, a gentleman sought me out after Mass to thank me for visiting with him and his wife and for praying and celebrating the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick with them. His wife had since died, and he wanted me to know how meaningful and important the experience had been. One more big blessing for me! It made me realize how important it is to tell people when they have made a difference and to thank them.

~Fr. Thom

Take your next step: Count your blessings! As you reflect on the ways you have been blessed, think of ways you can be a blessing to others in the ways that you have been blessed this week.

On the eve of our national Thanksgiving holiday, I find myself musing about just how grateful I am and how important it is for us to dedicate ourselves to thankfulness. It is so easy to slip into a mode of complaint about what we do not have and to lose sight of all we have been given. Our focus can get skewed easily and with it, our attitude can become jaded. When we pay most of our attention to the material things in life, we become blinded to the true treasures that are available to us.

Cultivating a spirit of thanksgiving each and every day would have a transformative effect on us. Looking for the things in our lives for which we are grateful would leave us happier, more fulfilled, and create a deeper spirit of generosity in our hearts. Instead of focusing on our disappointments, imagine the light-heartedness that would flood our encounters with others if we embraced the good in our lives with a spirit of wonder and delight. So as we enter the Thanksgiving holiday, let us consider the reasons we have to be grateful.

Who are the people in our lives who love us, who have faith in us, who encourage and nurture us? Who challenges us to be our best selves, mentors us, and guides us on our journey of life? Who helps us to notice and correct self-defeating attitudes we may have? Who opens our eyes, ears and hearts to things of beauty and goodness that surround us? Who says to us: “You can.” when we whine, “I can’t.” They are reasons to be grateful.

What are the things in this world that inspire a sense of wonder in us? What in our world evokes a sense of awe: a sunset, a piece of music, a beautifully choreographed dance, a new-born child? What instills a spirit of hope, fulfillment and joy in us: a new day dawning, a project completed with a sense of accomplishment? These too are reasons to give thanks.

As if those people and things in our lives were not reason enough to be grateful, there is the ultimate gift in our lives: God. Think about what Fr. Thom suggested two weeks ago in his column: “God is calling us to a life of abundant joy.” Or, consider Rachel’s assertion last week that “God desperately wants to be involved in each of our lives.” God alone is reason enough for us to be grateful. God wants and does draw near to us. God is always with us, giving us what we need to live lives faithful to the gospel. God desires that we open our hearts to Him and that we embrace his desire that we be united with Him (John 17). Imagine that. God wants us to be one with Him.

We have so many reasons to be grateful. And, God is the source of them all. How can we thank God enough? (1 Th 3:9)

~Sister Kathleen

Take Your Next Step: Make a list of people or things for which you are grateful. Offer a prayer of thanks to God for them. Make an effort to thank someone for the gift they are to you. Once you have a list of concrete reasons to be thankful, each night reflect on the one person, circumstance, or event for which you are particularly grateful that day.