The face of true gratitude
The canticle of the Blessed Virgin in today’s Gospel teaches us how to enter fully into Advent. She
who listened to the promises of the Lord. She who received God’s Son into her person. She who was driven by love of God to visit Elizabeth. She is indeed to be called blessed! And what does she do as soon as Elizabeth names her for what she is, ‘blessed among women’? Mary holds nothing for herself, but turns all praise and glory to the Lord, rejoicing in God her Savior!
Sometimes if I don’t get a pat on the back or a thank you for something I have done, I pout. I pout, because, darn it, I’ve done something, and I deserve a little recognition. But is justice really served in its fullness after I get my thank you? Have I really been the only one, or even the main person at work in any good deed? According to the Christian religion, no! Rather, God is the one with whom I have been cooperating the whole time. The real thanks, from the perspective of justice, should be rendered to Him!
And what should the rendering of that thanks look like? The silent prayers Mary constantly made, the concrete help she gave to Elizabeth getting ready to give birth, the tender love she had for Christ even in the marginalized poverty in which she had to give birth, the refugee life she had to live shortly afterwards, back in Nazareth caring for her son as He grew, following Jesus as He went off to preach, heal, suffer and die, and rise again for His people. What is the way we should return thanks to God for all the benefits he bestows upon us? Look to Mary! Take her song upon your lips! Take her humility into your heart! Follow the example of the first and greatest Christian! In words and deeds, point others towards God who is at work right here, right now. As we get ready for Christmas, let’s not so much seek a thank you for ourselves, but rather let’s seek that these words might resound: “Thanks be to God!”
Author: Thomas Croteau, SJ, Theology Department
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The Visitation
Philippe de Champaigne, ca 1643
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Sometimes if I don’t get a pat on the back or a thank you for something I have done, I pout. I pout, because, darn it, I’ve done something, and I deserve a little recognition. But is justice really served in its fullness after I get my thank you? Have I really been the only one, or even the main person at work in any good deed? According to the Christian religion, no! Rather, God is the one with whom I have been cooperating the whole time. The real thanks, from the perspective of justice, should be rendered to Him!
And what should the rendering of that thanks look like? The silent prayers Mary constantly made, the concrete help she gave to Elizabeth getting ready to give birth, the tender love she had for Christ even in the marginalized poverty in which she had to give birth, the refugee life she had to live shortly afterwards, back in Nazareth caring for her son as He grew, following Jesus as He went off to preach, heal, suffer and die, and rise again for His people. What is the way we should return thanks to God for all the benefits he bestows upon us? Look to Mary! Take her song upon your lips! Take her humility into your heart! Follow the example of the first and greatest Christian! In words and deeds, point others towards God who is at work right here, right now. As we get ready for Christmas, let’s not so much seek a thank you for ourselves, but rather let’s seek that these words might resound: “Thanks be to God!”
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