Fr. Scott A. Haynes
Gratitude is the beating heart of a soul in harmony with God’s will. From the opening chapters of Genesis to the prophetic books that foretell Christ, the Old Testament is replete with examples of thanksgiving and gratitude that serve as a foundation for Christian spirituality. The Church Fathers, reflecting on these sacred texts, saw gratitude not merely as an occasional duty but as a continual disposition of the heart, one that aligns humanity with divine providence.
As we look at the lives of the various figures from the Old Testament, we observe in them a spirit of gratitude. Reflecting on their lives, we are encouraged to follow after their example and have a thankful heart, even in the midst of trials, realizing God’s hand is in all the details of our lives.
The Gratitude of Adam and Eve before the Fall
Before sin entered the world, Adam and Eve lived in perfect harmony with God, reflecting gratitude through their actions and communion with Him in Eden. They expressed thanksgiving by joyfully caring for the garden and obeying God’s commandments. St. John Chrysostom writes,
“Gratitude is a safeguard of blessings. It keeps blessings that have been received and attracts new ones.” (Homily 25 on Matthew).
In Eden, the gratitude of Adam and Eve maintained their state of grace.
Their failure, however, reminds us of the consequences of ingratitude. When tempted by the serpent, their hearts turned from thanksgiving to entitlement, leading to their downfall. Their story warns us to cultivate gratitude as a safeguard against sin and as a way to cherish God’s gifts.
Abraham: Thanksgiving Through Trust
Abraham, the father of faith, exemplifies a spirit of thanksgiving through trust in God’s promises. In Genesis 12, he leaves his homeland, trusting in God’s command to journey to an unknown land. His response to God’s blessings is seen when he builds altars and offers sacrifices of thanksgiving, as in Genesis 13:18:
“Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, and there he built an altar to the Lord.”
The Church Fathers praise Abraham’s gratitude. St. Augustine observes,
“He thanked God in faith for what he had not yet received, because he believed the promises of God as if they were already fulfilled” (City of God, Book XVI, Chapter 22).
For traditional Catholics, Abraham’s life teaches that gratitude often begins in trusting God even before His promises are fulfilled.
Moses and the Song of Thanksgiving
Moses, the great prophet of Israel, embodies gratitude in moments of triumph and adversity. After leading the Israelites through the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites sing a hymn of thanksgiving:
“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea” (Exodus 15:1).
This canticle demonstrates gratitude for God’s deliverance and power. St. Gregory of Nyssa reflects on this passage, writing,
“In thanksgiving, we acknowledge the Creator as our liberator and Redeemer, rendering to Him the glory due for His works” (Homilies on the Song of Songs).
Moses teaches us that moments of deliverance—great or small—should prompt heartfelt thanksgiving.
Even in the wilderness, Moses shows gratitude through intercession for the people, demonstrating that thanksgiving can take the form of prayer and advocacy for others.
David: A Heart of Gratitude
No figure in the Old Testament better exemplifies the spirit of thanksgiving than King David. The Psalms, many of which he authored, overflow with gratitude to God.
“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds” (Psalm 9:1).
David’s gratitude was not limited to moments of triumph. He praised God even in times of suffering. Psalm 23 is a profound example:
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4).
Gratitude flows from his trust in God’s presence and providence.
St. Ambrose comments,
“David teaches us that thanksgiving must not depend on our circumstances but on the constancy of God’s goodness” (Exposition of the Psalms).
For traditional Catholics, David’s psalms encourage a life steeped in prayerful gratitude, irrespective of external conditions.
Job: Gratitude in Suffering
Perhaps the most striking example of thanksgiving in the Old Testament is Job, whose unwavering gratitude shines even in suffering. When he loses his wealth, health, and family, Job declares,
“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
The Church Fathers saw in Job a model of unwavering gratitude. St. Gregory the Great writes,
“He gave thanks for both the gifts and the trials, for he understood that the hand of God is to be blessed in all things” (Moralia in Job, Book II, Chapter 29).
Job’s example calls Catholics to cultivate gratitude even in moments of loss, trusting that God’s providence is at work.
Gratitude in the Lives of Prophets
The prophets of the Old Testament also lived lives of gratitude, often expressing it through their obedience to God’s mission. Consider Daniel, who continued his practice of daily thanksgiving prayer even when threatened with death:
“He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously” (Daniel 6:10).
Daniel’s gratitude under persecution inspired the early Church. St. Cyprian writes,
“In every persecution, let us offer thanks like Daniel, knowing that God strengthens and saves those who trust in Him” (Treatise on the Lord’s Prayer, Chapter 4).
Gratitude in the face of trials strengthens faith and becomes a witness to others.
Similarly, Jonah’s prayer of thanksgiving from the belly of the whale (Jonah 2:2-9) shows that gratitude can arise even from the depths of despair.
“But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you” (Jonah 2:9).
The Fathers saw Jonah’s prayer as a foreshadowing of Christ’s victory over death and an example of trusting gratitude in God’s deliverance.
Lessons for Traditional Catholics
The Old Testament figures teach timeless lessons about living with a spirit of thanksgiving:
1. Gratitude as Worship: Like Moses and David, our thanksgiving should be a form of worship, acknowledging God as the source of all blessings. Attending the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass—the ultimate thanksgiving—is the pinnacle of this worship.
2. Gratitude in Trials: Following Job’s example, we must thank God not only for joys but also for crosses, trusting in His providential care.
3. Gratitude in Obedience: Like Abraham and the prophets, gratitude should manifest in our trust and obedience to God’s will, even when His plans are unclear.
4. Gratitude in Prayer: Daniel’s example calls us to a disciplined life of prayer, punctuated by thanksgiving. The Church’s tradition of morning and evening prayers provides a framework for incorporating gratitude into daily life.
The Eucharist: The Fulfillment of Old Testament Thanksgiving
The spirit of gratitude finds its ultimate expression in the Eucharist, a word that means “thanksgiving.” The Church Fathers often linked the Eucharist to the Old Testament sacrifices of thanksgiving. St. Augustine declares,
“The Eucharist is our daily thanksgiving to God for His mercies, the fulfillment of what was prefigured in the sacrifices of old” (Sermon 227).
Just as David sang psalms of thanksgiving and Abraham offered sacrifices of gratitude, Catholics participate in the Mass to give thanks for God’s greatest gift: the redemption won by Christ. The Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer expresses this perfectly:
“It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks.”
For traditional Catholics, cultivating a spirit of gratitude means frequent participation in the Mass and receiving Holy Communion with reverence and thanksgiving.
Conclusion
The Old Testament figures teach us that gratitude is more than a feeling; it is a way of life rooted in trust, worship, and obedience to God. The Church Fathers remind us that this spirit of thanksgiving is perfected in the Eucharist, where we unite our gratitude with the perfect thanksgiving of Christ.
Let us resolve to follow their example, living lives of continual thanksgiving to God, who is the giver of all good gifts. As St. Paul exhorts,
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).