The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1956-08-03

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One of the most difficult of virtues practice with zeal and
steadfastess virtue of gratitude And of all virtues
this the most fitting for mankind We have nothing that
have and surely the receiver ought be
full for the gifts and favors bestowed upon him.
things Almighty Father of Lights.
from whom every good perfect gift Our existence
lfe nature, talents, sustenance and every
breath draw all the free gifts of God Add to these
the neffaby greater benefits supernatural character
blessed religion the Church. the and these
too from God Even the of the need of
giving and the ability to render effectively avos diviney
bestowed
The very hardshp and ufferings of life Gods loving
gifts they by which achieve in exist
ing Divine Providence ao and permits the each
son has to bear that has that burden which
will fit him best for following after Christ and attaining heaven
And the strength the always God is
faithful and will not suffer to be tried beyond ability
but with each trial will make issue of that you may be
able to bear it."
We meant to be to make petition to God and to
to Him for aid in dstrees Perhaps the best value Of
hardship its power to kill pride and foolish sesu
fciency and to make turn to God for help 1t is essential
that we have constant recourse to God we will not do so in
willing love- we may be driven do so by suffering And GER
tany in that the suffering really blessing and gift
that demands our gratitude.
easy to complain, hard be properly grateful
1t is dwell wants lacks hard to be
blessings 1t msreated hard
that overwhelmed with benefits The poison of
pride that into nature with the original sin tends
dry the fine springs of thankunes and make
caousy indifferent the duty and the privilege of express
sing gratitude.
God wants ask Him gifts graces To the
who that God knows better than know what good
for and that have need to make petition we may
simply that Christ Our Lord has instructed to ask
ASK and you shall receve seek and shall nd knock and
shall be opened unto you Hitherto you have not asked any,
thing ask and shall receive that joy may
be full Amen say to whatsoever you shall ask the
Father in my name, He will give it to you"
The prayer petition schools the supplian soul in the
needfu virtue of gratitude makes manifest the dependence
alton only another for thankulnes What ask for
likely appreciate what without asking readily
accepted DUE and is taken for granted the
penetrating mind of GKC perceived lit taken though
had not been granted"
1t is amazing to realize how Gods wonderful Providence is
upon sinful God thanks not
for Himself but for 1t to interest that should be
thankful since gratitude alone put into the proper at
ude to receive and keep receiving the special gifts
has prepared for Our gratitude cannot really do anything
for God: it work wonders for ourselves.
pathway life through this world is supplied by
Providence with treasures To find these and to make
them available to require the prayer of peton
asking the that begets the essential
spirit of thanksgiving We might that endless gifts con-
tanned for locked cabinets all along fes the key
which opens the cabinets is the prayer OF petition
When we ask favor of God, true favor and not one
of seeming which would really hurt rather than promote
chances of getting safe to heaven we do not seek to
the Providence Rather seek
align with that divine order With God there no
change shadow of alteration God stands always to us IN the
attitude of infinite love and kindness rich answer to every
good of petition has been prepared from eternity but
make the its We rust use the
the chest is locked
need Therefore it is apparent that
prayer of petition is of paramount Importance
petition and to be grateful to be grateful and to
make petition these activities not only supplementary,
other but each promotes and suggests the other The
grateful the soul engaged steadfast petition to God
worthy petitioner brings his the spirit of humble
thankunes BY these two powerful the Christian life
is carried forward to perfection.
Petition of the essential ends purposes
of all And where these two qualities OF prayer are
ent wo alteration and penance cannot possibly
lacking person who turns God in petition acknow
ledges procm by his suppicaon the Power and Per-
lection this is of alteration Further, the
grateful petitioner by his attitude of hankfuness humble
suppant of his unworhnes he has the spirit and
attitude offending the God whom he suppcates