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"It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks."
As you prepare to make offerings of thanksgiving and praise this week, remember that a small sacrifice made well is always better than a big one that can't be maintained—don't try every suggestion on this page; just pick one or two ideas for inspiration.
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Minute Meditations
"Hallowed be Thy Name" (Mt. 6:10).
Did you reflect on the first line of the Our Father last week? This week, think about how humbly recognizing God as Father naturally moves us to praise His Name." Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven." (Mt. 5:11-12).
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Offerings of Praise and Thanksgiving: Building Habits
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Quit Complaining
When your emotional response is to complain, intentionally choose gratitude instead.
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Back to Basics
Remember to give thanks for your food, every time you eat. All we receive comes from "[God's] bounty, through Christ."
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Practice Patience
You won't be thankful if you're mad about the traffic, lack of coffee, or every other inconveninece that arises.
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Are you anxious?
Gratitude brings us back to the present moment, away from future worries. If you feel out of control, find three things to be grateful for.
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Say "Thank You"
Not just to the Lord—make a point of thanking a coworker, spouse, child, or friend.
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Offerings of Praise and Thanksgiving: Spiritual Life
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Listen Up!
The Mass teaches us how to pray well. Listen for the prayers of thanksgiving and praise. Remember them. Repeat them.
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Say "Thank You" in Person
Do you drive by St. Monica during the week? Stop for five minutes of adoration—the door is always open.
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Stop and Think
How has God worked in your life? What has He blessed you with? What can you thank Him for?
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Keep it Simple
Wake up and thank the Lord for another day. It takes just a second!
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Read a Psalm of Praise or Thanksgiving
There are dozens to choose from, but here are some ideas: Psalms 8, 18, 92, 100, 103, 105, 113, 138.
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Prayers for the Week
Pray the Magnificat this week and meditate on it as a guide for your offerings. Join Our Lady as she rejoices in the Lord and reflects on all He has done for His people!
Click here to download a printable copy of the Magnificat.
Looking for something shorter?
Don't forget the doxology, or the "Glory Be" prayer. Pray it slowly and meditate on the short words of praise.Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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Dive into Scripture: How easy it is to complain!
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Remember the Exodus story?
After freeing Israel from Egypt, God takes His people into the desert and provides for every need, offering miraculous bread, pouring water from rocks, and preventing their clothes from wearing thin. Everything the people need is given freely, and how do they respond?
As we spend our own time in the "desert" of Lent, consider your own response to the Lord's generosity.
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God Sends Manna
"I am going to rain down bread from heaven for you."
Ex. 16
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...and Israel Responds
“Why have you brought us up from Egypt?...We are disgusted with this wretched food!”
Num. 21:4-5
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While on the topic of poor responses...
Lk 18:9-14"O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity."
Don't forget last week's offering of humility! True thanksgiving starts with humility, and it ends in glorifying God.
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Lectio Divina
What response is pleasing to the Lord?
Luke 17:11-19
As he continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met [him]. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priest. As they were going, they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God? -
From the Saints
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St. John Chrysostom
Nothing is holier than that tongue, which in evils gives thanks to God; truly in no respect does it fall short of that of martyrs; both are alike crowned.
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St. Terese of Lisieux
It is the spirit of gratitude which draws down upon us the overflow of God's grace, for no sooner have we thanked Him for one blessing than He hastens to send us ten additional favors in return. Then, when we show our gratitude for these new gifts, He multiplies His benedictions to such a degree that there seems to be a constant stream of divine grace ever coming our way.
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St. Paul
What do you possess that you have not received? But if you have received it, why are you boasting as if you did not receive it? (1 Cor 4:7).
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St. Philip Neri: Giving Thanks After Mass
Of all the opportunities we have to give thanks, the time immediately after receiving Christ in the Eucharist is among the most important and most forgotten. How often do you stay after Mass to pray for a few minutes and recall Who you have just received?
One day, as he was celebrating Mass, St. Philip Neri saw a man leave early after receiving the Eucharist, showing no reverence to the Sacrament he had received. The saint sent two altar servers to follow the man with lit candles. Eventually, the man noticed them, and returned to ask St. Philip's reasoning. The saint replied, "We have to pay proper respect to Our Lord, Whom you are carrying away with you. Since you neglect to adore Him, I sent two acolytes to take your place."
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For ReflectionFrom the Imitation of Christ, Book 3, Chapter 22
Let me remember Your blessings—all of them and each single one of them—with great reverence and care so that henceforth I may return worthy thanks for them. I know that I am unable to give due thanks for even the least of Your gifts. I am unworthy of the benefits You have given me, and when I consider Your generosity my spirit faints away before its greatness. All that we have of soul and body, whatever we possess interiorly or exteriorly, by nature or by grace, are Your gifts and they proclaim Your goodness and mercy from which we have received all good things.
