St. Matthew Catholic Church

Weekly Message     

GratitudeVsGrumbling

Dear brothers and sisters,   

      God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways.” Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vine- yard breaks down His words.

     A landowner goes out at dawn, at noon, and even at the eleventh hour—just one hour before sunset—to hire laborers. When evening comes, he gives everyone the exact same daily wage. The workers who labored all day received precisely what they agreed to, what they needed, and what was fair. Their problem wasn't poverty; it was perspective. They were so busy staring at someone else’s envelope that they lost sight of their own provision. When we nurse a grudge, against a neighbor, a family member, or even against God because life hasn't dealt us the cards we think we deserve, we blind ourselves to the gifts given.

    How to remove or heal our grudges and grumblings? God’s economy is not driven by wages; it is driven by grace. If God gave us strict "fairness," if He gave us strictly what our sins and impatience deserved, none of us would stand. God stretches His mercy as high as the heavens are above the earth.  Therefore, only gratitude cures the covetous eye and softens the hardened, resentful heart.

     Shifting from a grudge to gratitude, perspective to provision, and pain to person requires dismantling a mental habit that feels protective in the moment; and intentional, spiritual, and psychological “rewiring”. When you know you are fully loved, fully seen, and deeply forgiven by God and others you really feel the blessings and fill your heart and mind with gratitude.

     “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.” Let’s always have an attitude of gratitude and grumbling will disappear!  (Phil 2:14)

     Blessings!

  Msgr. Xavier Pappu                     

                     Insert:  Giving to God/Dar a Dios.pdf

                                    Please pray for vocations to the priesthood,
                              for the Priests of our Diocese; & for our Bishop.

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