Stewardship is an attitude of gratitude

Give thanks to God, bless His name” (Psalm 100:4). 
Thanksgiving is the one holiday where everyone across our nation, regardless of our differences, gives thanks for our many blessings. How amazing would it be if everyone lived every day of their life like it was Thanksgiving? That is precisely what a faithful Christian steward is called to do.  
As Christians striving to live a life of stewardship, we are called to give thanks in all that we do throughout the year. Sure, we remember to say our blessing before meals and give thanks at Mass, but do we remember to thank God daily for our family, priests, friends, life and the gifts and talents He generously gave us? 
Life gets messy and hectic, especially around the holidays and it is easy to forget to thank God for all the blessings in our life. It is difficult to remember gratitude and generosity as we navigate our daily routines. As faithful stewards, we are called to undergo ongoing conversion and make an effort every day to appreciate God’s gifts, nurture them and share them willingly and generously.
We may ask ourselves, why is it so important to be grateful? Thanksgiving is a consistent theme throughout the Bible. Scripture is overflowing with a call to give thanks to our Lord always and in everything. 
St. Paul was passionate about giving thanks to our Lord. He reminds us in almost every letter he wrote that we are called to be thankful to God in all aspects of our life.  Consider these examples for your Thanksgiving reflection: 1 Corinthians 1:4, 2 Corinthians 9:11, Ephesians 5:20, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 1:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:13 and 1 Chronicles 16:34. 
Have you ever noticed the number of times we thank God during Mass? From the Gloria to our responses to the readings, we are giving thanks to God. During the Eucharistic prayer, we respond “It is right and just” to give thanks to the Lord our God. We are also reminded that Jesus gave thanks before breaking the bread at the Last Supper. The word “Eucharist” comes from the Greek word “eucharistia,” which can be translated to “thanksgiving.” The Mass ends with a final sending of “Go in peace …” where we the faithful reply, “Thanks be to God.” With God, there are no coincidences. 
It is right and just to give the Lord thanks. God has blessed each of us in so many ways, let’s remember to embrace an attitude of gratitude in all that we do every day.   
“In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (Thessalonians 5:18).
­­— Shannon Roh is the Executive Director of the Office of Development and Stewardship for the Archdiocese of Mobile.