In May, the air is heavy with the fragrance of new life; the earth, adorned with colors that testify to Our Lord and Creator’s artistry, beckons our spirits to respond in kind—with gratitude that humbles and humbleness that magnifies gratitude. We are reminded that the world turns not by our strength but by the enduring will of the One who calls the stars by name.
It is easy to lose sight of the Giver behind every gift. Yet Our Lord and Saviour’s gentle rebuke in Luke’s Gospel pierces through time, confronting us with its uncomfortable truth. After healing ten lepers, Jesus asks, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17). The question is not merely historical but eternal. Where is our gratitude when prayers are answered? Where is our humility when grace is poured out undeservedly? Gratitude acknowledges that we are not our makers but the beloved recipients of divine kindness.
If we are honest, much of human striving is marked by the illusion of self-sufficiency. We labor, we succeed, we gather accolades, and it is tempting to credit the outcomes solely to our ingenuity and perseverance. Yet Our Lord repeatedly teaches that the heart posture matters more than the external result.
Even the ancient wisdom found in the Septuagint reinforces a truth. In Sirach, it is written, “In every gift, acknowledge Him, and give thanks with thy lips to the Lord of all things” (Sirach 35:10, LXX). This counsel hearkens back to a timeless principle: thanksgiving is not circumstantial but covenantal. To give thanks in all things is to live in continuous awareness of Our Lord and Creator’s sovereignty and provision, to see every breath, every opportunity, every rescue, as another stone in the altar we are called to build with our lives. See with the eyes of faith that even your persistence is a grace bestowed by Our Lord and Saviour.
For all who walk the narrow way, the faithful heart returns to the Giver rather than the gift. Gratitude trains the soul to magnify Our Lord’s faithfulness, while Humility anchors us to the reality that every good and perfect gift descends from above, unearned and unclaimed by merit. These values are not just moral virtues; they are also essential for our spiritual growth, helping us deepen our relationship with Our Lord and Creator.
Living in this spirit demands intentionality. It requires we slow our hurried pace, quiet our self-congratulations, and open our eyes to the tapestry of grace woven throughout our days. It calls us to consider the source of our blessings carefully and respond accordingly—not with fleeting feelings of appreciation, but with lives shaped by continual thanksgiving. Our thankfulness must mature from mere sentiment into action: into words spoken to encourage others, into hands extended to serve, into prayers whispered in hidden places where no eyes see but Our Father’s.
Live into the calling captured so beautifully in the Psalms: “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms” (Psalm 95:2). Living into this calling means actively practicing gratitude and humility, not just acknowledging their importance. Such a life is not only more joyful but also more truthful, anchored in the knowledge that we are recipients of love far greater than we deserve.
May your heart, humbled and thankful, become a sanctuary of praise that points not to yourself but to the glorious grace of Our Lord and Creator. Let each step, each breath, each word spoken be a testimony that He alone is worthy—and that to live in gratitude and humility is the highest expression of our redeemed humanity.
Share the Blessing
Thank you for spending time with us in reflection today. By recognizing Our Lord's hand in all things, both the blessings and the challenges, we can grow in faith and live with a heart full of thankfulness. If this devotional has blessed you, we encourage you to share it with others needing rest and peace. Let's continue to support one another in our pursuit of spiritual renewal by spreading the message of His peace.
We also welcome your thoughts and prayer requests as we continue to build a community centered around faith, love, and purpose. You can read our devotionals for free on our website or receive them directly in your inbox by joining our member-supported version on Sanctum of the Redeemer on Substack. To support our ministry, consider contributing to the Sanctum of the Redeemer to continue bringing spiritual nourishment to our community.
Together, let us journey toward deeper reflection and rest in Our Lord. May you walk in wisdom and light, always guided by His truth. In Jesus' name, Our Lord and Saviour.
