Is Giving Thanks Scriptural?

The Bible story that comes to my mind when I ask myself the question “Is giving thanks scriptural?” is the story of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19).  Jesus healed all ten, but only one, a Samaritan, returned to thank Him.  Jesus seemed not just disappointed, but maybe just a little angry.  He certainly can’t be disappointed in the Samaritan.  His words of thanks are loud and full of praise for Jesus.  Luke says “And one of them, realizing that he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him.” (Luke 17:15-16).  But Jesus says “Where are the other nine?”

God has given each of us so many gifts.  Let’s list a few of them:  the gift of life, of existence; the gift of the Earth, with all of its life-sustaining elements, air, water, food; the gift of family, of friends; the gift of our minds, of our intelligence, our souls; the gifts of teachers, of government officials, of clergy; the gifts of children; and the gift of our personal wealth, however meager for some, yet a great gift.  The list goes on and on.  Yet, we only set aside one day out of the year.  

I think we should give thanks to God every day.  We need to shout it loudly, maybe from the rooftops, and glorify our Creator at the same time.  We are so much in his debt.  Yes, God expects to be thanked and glorified by us, his creation.  And if we know that God expects something from us, we better pay heed.  He holds our eternal destiny in His hands.  Jesus Himself gave thanks to His Father ... when he consecrated the bread and wine at the Last Supper.  The next time you attend Mass, pay special attention.  "He took bread, and, giving thanks, he broke the bread, and said "Take and eat, this is my body."

In the words of the psalmist:  “Give thanks to the Lord who is good, whose love endures forever …” (Ps 107:1).  Amen!