GRATEFUL LIFE
There are those who go through life with a sad and bitter appearance. Their gaze is always fixed on what’s discouraging. They don ‘t have eyes to see that, in spite of everything, the good abounds more than the bad. They don’t know how to appreciate so many noble, beautiful and admirable gestures that happen every day in whatever part of the world. Maybe they see it all as dark because they project their own darkness over everything.
Others always go about with a critical attitude. They go through life observing the negative that’s around them. No one escapes their judgment. They think of themselves as lucid, sharp and objective persons. Yet they never praise, admire or give thanks. Their thing is to point out the bad and condemn it.
Others go through life indifferent to everything. They only have eyes for what serves their own interests. They don’t let themselves be surprised by anything gratuitous, they don’t let themselves love or bless anyone. Enclosed in their own world, it’s enough for them to defend their own small wellbeing ever more sad and selfish. From their heart thankfulness never springs forth.
Many live monotonous and bored. Their life is pure repetition: the same schedule, the same job, the same persons, the same conversation. They never discover a new path in their lives. They never try out for a new day. Nothing different ever happens to them that renews their spirit. They don’t know how to love people in a new way. Their heart doesn’t know praise.
In order to live gratefully, it’s necessary to recognize life as something good; to look at the world with love and sympathy; to clear our gaze that is burdened by negativism, pessimism or indifference in order to appreciate what’s good, beautiful and admirable in people and things. When St. Paul says that «we’ve been created to praise God’s glory», he’s talking about what is the deepest meaning and reason for our existence. In the story told by Luke, Jesus is surprised that only one of the lepers returns «giving thanks» and «praising God». He’s the only one who knew how to be surprised by his healing and to realize he’s thankful.
José Antonio Pagola
Translator: Fr. Jay VonHandorf
