From Mother Rebecca
Proper 6 – An Attitude of Gratitude

Several years ago, my Spiritual Director changed my life. She did so not through any great insight (though she often shared great insights into my spiritual journey) and, in fact, without directing me to do anything (though she often provided helpful direction toward a deeper walk with God). Of the many benefits of my years-long relationship with this holy woman, she changed my life through her demonstrated cultivation and practice of gratitude. Every time we met, whether in person or over the phone, at some point in our conversation she would say, “I am grateful.”
  • “I am grateful for your ministry in Christ’s church,” she often said.
  • “I am grateful for the faithful support Scott and your boys demonstrate,” she’d reflect.
  • When recommending a resource, she’d observe how grateful she was for the insights she’d received from it.
  • And always, at the end of our conversations, she would observe that she is grateful for the time we’ve had together and God’s presence with us.
  • Gratitude. I’ve received many gifts in spiritual direction. By far, this director’s modeling to me her own practice of gratitude is the gift I most appreciate and most strive to employ.
Gratitude is evident in our psalmist’s words this week, who reminds us that our highest gratitude is reserved for God. As Episcopalians, our lives are centered around gratitude. “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving.” Our liturgy is shaped to gather us together in community, lead us deeply into God’s word, and then call us to respond with gratitude.
Our psalmist this week calls us to give thanks to the Lord. I wonder what you give thanks for this week? I’m grateful this week for our VBS program – for the countless ways in which our staff and our members came together to create a vibrant week for our children. I’m grateful for my vocation – for the opportunity to be coming alongside all of you in ministry here at Transfiguration. I’m grateful for the love and support of my family, for health, for blue skies and green trees that serve as artwork outside my window here in the office, “for all the blessings of this life; but” – in the words of the General Thanksgiving from the Daily Office, I’m grateful “above all for
[God’s] immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.”
As we prepare for worship this week, for what are you giving thanks? On Sunday, our celebrant will proclaim, “Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.” We will all proclaim Psalm 92 as we respond, “It is right to him thanks and praise!”
It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord,
    and to sing praises to your Name, O Most High;
To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning
    and of your faithfulness in the night season;
On the psaltery, and on the lyre,
    and to the melody of the harp.
For you have made me glad by your acts, O Lord;
    and I shout for joy because of the works of your hands.
                                                               -Psalm 92:1-4
-Rebecca+