Grateful hearts open the doors for blessings
Today is the 1st Sunday in Advent. Advent means new beginnings. New beginnings means changing from the way one has been doing things or, if need be, changing from what one has been doing.
: Start immediately
: Do it flamboyantly
: No exceptions
One area most neglected, perhaps, is expressing gratitude. That is where most people seem to lag behind or are neglectful. They forget to say “Thank you.”
A Nigerian proverb says, Eto dike na nke omere o mekwa ozu, meaning, “If you praise a mighty person, they will do more.” But it does not necessarily have to be a ‘mighty person.’ In fact, it is not only persons, but trees and water appreciate a word of gratitude. Did you know that water responds to positive words like “Thank you?” It has been scientifically demonstrated and proven that water responds to positive words.
An appreciative human heart opens itself and yields to blessings. Appreciation is a valued act, not only in Nigeria, but in most African cultures. IsiZulu says, “Ungasinyeli isihlahla.” Literary, this says, ‘do not excrete around a tree.’ But it is a particular tree. It is that tree that has given you the cool, restful shade during the hot summer sun as you were undertaking a long journey on foot. Do not leave your excretions around it as you deem yourself done and no longer needing the shade. Grateful hearts open the doors for blessings.
It is usual that when one gives someone a gift, they will keep thanking one. Each time they see one, they will say, “Thank you for yesterday.” Or “Thank you for the other day!” They are specific in things they kept thanking for.
In today’s Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Paul is continuously giving thanks for what God has done for the Corinthian Christians.
Paul, also, was specific in things he kept thanking God for: his readers’ advanced understanding (knowledge) of the gospel, their eloquence (speech), and the variety of their spiritual gifts. Grateful hearts open the doors for blessings.
The First Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9, also hints at the opening of doors for blessings when verse 5 says, “You welcome those who gladly do good, who follow godly ways. But you have been very angry with us, for we are not godly. We are constant sinners; how can people like us be saved?” (Africa Study Bible). Acknowledging the Creator and expressing gratitude for all the beauty of creation are part of ‘doing good’ and ‘following godly ways.’
The Responsorial Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19 does suggest that it might, at times, be hard to find anything to be grateful for. One’s emotions and the condition of one’s soul may conceal from one anything to be thankful for.
Yet God is given the title of Shepherd at the beginning of Psalm 80. Who forgets the duty and task of shapherds?
[Readings are based on the Revised Common Lectionary: Year B.]