A Reflection on Gratitude By: Kim Long, Saint Mary of the Pines DRE GRATITUDE, a predictable theme in November, is found everywhere from women’s magazines to cookbooks to sale circulars as well as the Thanksgiving dinner table. I wanted to examine the concept in a different way. Here is my take on gratitude in the year 2020, which in many respects could be called annus horillibus, or horrible year in Latin, but even in our sadness and bewilderment, we find evidence of the opposing view annus mirabilis, wonderful year, a time where no miracle is small, no answered prayer ordinary, and no blessing left uncounted. We have lived to see another November, to state our thanks and gratitude for the good things we have experienced. And if we need a reminder we can turn to the prophet Jeremiah as he states the following: “For I know well the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to give you hope and a future.” With that in mind, I offer the following reflections.
14 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION
Photo: Roman Cathedral, taken by Kierstin Richter
