I came across the clip of a recent interview with Michael J. Fox. As you are probably aware, he suffers from Parkinson’s and has been able to act for many years as the symptoms have worsened. In the interview he said, “With gratitude, optimism is sustainable.”
What a powerful statement! I also could not help but to think what great timing of hearing this quote, being the weekend where the Church celebrates in a special way the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Eucharist comes from the Greek word meaning ‘thanksgiving’. The life of the Christian is one of thanksgiving to God. When we truly take the time to be thankful to the Lord for His blessings, take the time to recall what those blessings are-regardless of how small or how big—we refocus our attention from ourselves. We are in a position to truly love and we are able to live joyfully and, as Fox said, with optimism—regardless of the challenges before us.
Life is full of challenges. It always has and it always will. Living in gratitude helps keep us rooted in the Lord. This doesn’t solve all the problems, but it does strengthen us and allow us not to be swept away by the chaos of the world we live in.
This week I invite you to take some extra time to give thanks to God. Perhaps participate in a daily Mass or Eucharistic Adoration or go to Confession. These encounters with the Lord provide a stability and foundation that the world cannot give.
Daily Masses: Mon-Fri 12N Cathedral, Wednesday 5:30PM Good Shepherd, Thursday 5:30PM St. Stanislaus
Confessions: Tuesday-Friday 11:15-11:45 Cathedral, Tuesday 6PM-7PM St. Stanislaus, Saturday 3PM-3:30PM Cathedral and Good Shepherd
Living in Love with God 
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