Praise and Thanksgiving

Praise and Thanksgiving
One of the most important ways we can connect with God is by expressing our praise and thanksgiving. This habit should never become old or routine. When we offer heartfelt thanksgiving to God, we are often acknowledging the specific gifts or blessings He has graciously given us. As believers, we should always maintain an attitude of gratitude for everything the Lord does for us each day. Praise, however, is different. When we praise God, we honor and adore Him for who He is, rather than for what He has done.
Friends, in the well-known Gospel reading, we see both praise and thanksgiving offered when a Samaritan leper is healed and granted salvation through Jesus. Like all expressions of praise, this is rooted not only in the Lord's actions but also in His character. It's essential to remember the difference between praise and thanksgiving. We should diligently practice both, saying “Thank You” in response to all the blessings we receive daily, while also remembering to praise God simply for who He is at all times. By offering our heartfelt praise and thanksgiving, we can become what Augustine said every Christian should be: “an alleluia from head to foot.” What a great quality to strive for and emulate daily!
Onward and Upward+
Fr. Greg

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