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Volume 35, Number 3 |
Richardton, ND 58652 |
July 2007 |
Thoughts on Gratitude
by Fr. James Kilzer, O.S.B.
Here at Assumption Abbey monks have much for which to be grateful. We are grateful for the turning of the seasons, for timely rains and green growing things. We are grateful too for the generous friends who believe in us and express their love and trust by supporting us financially. Generous response to our need has enabled us to plan private bathrooms for some of our elder members. They—and all of us—are very grateful for your gifts. Construction will be under way this fall and winter.
From whence comes true gratitude? I know it when I see it, but in what soil does it grow? An old friend of mine was known for being a bit gruff, at least by first impressions. His ragged voice and crusty persona, however, did not describe his inner character. When I visited him, when I adjusted his pillows or refilled his water glass, his typical response was, “Thanks, babe,” ever in that gravelly rough voice of his. Here was a man of unsuspected tenderness, and a very grateful man.
Gradually in my life, I am coming to understand gratitude as a virtue of the mature, and a virtue which grows in the soil of dependence. These may seem paradoxical claims, but I believe them to be true.
It is said we grow from the profound dependence of infancy through the asserted
independence of the adolescent years to (hopefully) the enlightened interdependence
of mature adults. If gratitude is in short supply around us, it might be evidence
that our upstart nation is still roaming in the illusion of independence. Our national
myth of pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps is an adolescent myth. Such a
mythology, such self-
Monks try to cultivate a disposition of gratitude. In the morning we use words
of the aged man Zechariah, praising God for sending us a Savior. This prayer is titled
the Benedictus (see Lk 1:68-
A bitter old farmer, having suffered perhaps one too many disappointments, was
on the receiving end of well-
Here at Assumption Abbey, we continue to garden and ranch, sharing the lot of our neighbors. Each year, in springtime, we celebrate a rite of blessing seeds and soil. In doing so, we thank God for his providential care, and ask blessing upon the new growing season just getting underway on our North Dakota prairie land. This year the celebration took place on May 15th. Many parishioners and other friends joined us for Vespers in church, then processed to the garden for blessing of seeds and soil. In such acts we are mindful of our dependence on God and our interdependence upon one with another. A hearty thank you to all our friends who share in our Kingdom work by your service rendered, your prayers and your financial support.
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
Br. Michael Taffe, O.S.B.
