Trail at Serra dos Orgeos National Park, Brazil
“. . . giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.
If you keep to my path,
I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:23 (NLT)
Why do we so often learn to live our lives in Christ with an emphasis on the “don’ts” instead of the “do’s”? At least in the early days, we might step over half a dozen “do’s” while trying hard not to commit any “don’ts”! Here in Cor Unum Abbey, we do our best to make sure that the doing of the Gospels tips the scales. It has been said that if we would concern ourselves with what we know to do, nearly all the “don’ts” would fall away or fall in line. (After all, “love does no harm to a neighbor” … Romans 13:10.)
This season of Thanksgiving is an ideal example. When we fill our hearts, fill our minds, fill our mouths – that last is always a good way to fill our hearts and minds – with gratitude, then grumbling and complaining and criticizing and gossiping (and those are big “don’ts”) can scarcely squeeze in.
There are more than one hundred verses that mention, and often command, the giving of thanks to God. They dot the Scripture from start to finish, not including all the mentions of praise and worship.
We give thanks daily, on purpose, and plentifully within these walls. It was one of our very first monastic practices. We never leave thanksgiving to chance, and for good reason. Thanksgiving had a most powerful effect here a few years ago. We will tell you about it, but for now, for today … join us in thanksgiving, the sacrifice that truly honors God, and with us, see the salvation of the Lord.
And … Thank You, Father, that we may!
Trail at Serra dos Orgeos National Park, Brazil
Ferreiraandreza, by permission, Wikipedia
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