Maureen A. Furletti: Graduate Student, Loyola Institute for Ministry, Loyola University New Orleans; Parishioner, Our Mother of Consolation Church, Philadelphia, PA
Maureen A. Furletti
“Counting Our Blessings: Francis & Jane’s Tips for Growing Gratitude”
After many years of hosting, I have the routine down pat. Order the turkey. Review our favorite family recipes for stuffing, potatoes, and green beans. Run to the Acme for the ingredients and grab extra canned goods for the school food drive. Prepare the table with my grandmother’s porcelain dinnerware. Accept my sister’s gracious offer to make a delightful dessert. I checked all the boxes off my to-do list.
Yet, with all this running around, I fail to focus on the purpose of the holiday: Thanksgiving.
One meal. One day each year. How is it that I too often let the importance of this holiday escape me? Miriam sang, danced, and played the tambourine in thanksgiving to God for safely leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. King David sang songs of praise to God. Certainly, gratitude and thanksgiving for God’s loving and lavish gifts should be at the top of my checklist - not just on Thanksgiving, but every day!
How can I incorporate gratitude into my daily life? I look to my friends Francis and Jane for insight.
Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane de Chantal remind me that I must first embrace a posture of humility. Salesian Spirituality recognizes humility as a highly prized virtue. Francis and Jane encourage me to abandon the “I-can-do-it-on-my-own” attitude and strive for a humble heart. I am reminded that I cannot merit these gifts, but rather, God’s gifts are lavishly given because of God’s unconditional love.
My saintly friends also teach me to find “little occasions” to offer thanksgiving. I may not be able to compose songs of praise as beautiful and poetic as King David’s Psalms, but I could say a few simple words of gratitude to God while I’m waiting in line at the grocery store or stuck in traffic. I think Francis and Jane would applaud these small steps towards holiness, not apart from my daily routine, but within it.
I will continue to look for ways to live well the virtue of humility and the habit of thanksgiving. What are your suggestions?
On November 20, Maureen Furletti will be presenting "Counting Our Blessings: Francis & Jane's Tips for Growing Gratitude" at “Third Sunday Enrichments” hosted by Our Mother of Consolation Parish ( 9 E Chestnut Hill Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118). If you are in the area, please consider attending!
