The virtue of gratitude is sorely lacking in our culture. As a result, we demand more than we need, chafe under conditions better than those enjoyed by perhaps any previous generation and look down upon the cultures and peoples who came before us – often for no other reason than the historical accident that they came before us. Ingratitude disposes us to that queen of sins: pride.

Among the many virtues that have languished with the decline of Christendom, gratitude is not the least. When we frequently call to mind the gifts we have received, we take greater satisfaction in them. When we recognise how many of these goods are entirely unearned, bearing discomfort – often of our own making – becomes easier. Gratitude fosters patience in trials, contentment with what we possess and humility. In short, it gives us an accurate picture of ourselves and of what we truly deserve.

There is, however, a further dimension to gratitude to which our secular culture is largely blind. The Christian alone is capable of fully understanding the extent of his good fortune. To restore gratitude in its fullness, we must remember. We must remember what we have been saved from, who saved us and who we were when we were saved. This past Sunday, St Paul reminded us of these truths in his Letter to the Romans.

As we have already seen, forming an accurate picture of ourselves begins with counting the many gifts we have received. Our lives, which are themselves no small gift, consist of a multitude of blessings. Some are external, such as possessions, friendships and honour. Others are internal, such as pleasure, knowledge and moral virtue.

Catholics, however, recognise a gift greater still: the gift of gifts from the Giver of all good things. This is the grace of the Holy Spirit poured into our hearts, which we call sanctifying grace. Through this grace, we receive the divine life and become adopted sons of God. More than this, our souls are ennobled by those three supernatural virtues St Paul speaks of in Romans 5: Faith, Hope and Love.

How do we come to possess so magnificent a gift? We receive it because of the sacrifice that merited it for us. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, has made us sharers in His own Sonship.

Yet Paul does not stop after describing what was given and by whom. He proceeds to emphasise the point most essential for those who would cultivate genuine Christian gratitude.

Paul observes that it is already difficult to imagine dying for another person. Perhaps, if that person were exceptionally righteous, noble or worthy, we might summon the courage. Yet Christ surpasses even this standard beyond measure. What a lion-hearted love! Christ did not die for the sons of God, nor even for His friends. Rather, as Paul writes, “while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son” (Rom. 5:10).

What more can be said? It was not enough that God gave us every good thing, only for us to abuse those gifts in rebellion against Him. He then handed over His own life to save us from eternal death. Nor does His generosity end there. God not only rescues us from the damnation we deserve; through grace, He desires to accomplish good works in us, so that He might have something to crown with honour in Heaven. He continues to extend this mercy even now, even as we continue to thwart our own good and wound our souls through sin.

There is a love in the Sacred Heart so extravagant that, were it not revealed to us, we would scarcely dare believe it.

If Christ has given what is of infinite value to those who debased what little value their finite nature possessed, and if He has gone further still by granting them the power to become children of God – sons in the Son – how could we respond with anything but thanksgiving?

God is well within His rights to strike us down at our first grave sin. He certainly possesses the power to destroy His enemies. The marvel is that He desires instead to transform those enemies into sons.

Even gratitude seems too small a word for a gift of such magnitude. The mind staggers when it attempts to comprehend how one might adequately thank God. Yet God has provided the answer to that problem as well – because, of course, He has.

As St Paul writes, “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast” (1 Cor. 5:7–8). The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the place where perfect thanksgiving is offered to God. There we unite ourselves with Christ’s own sacrifice and join the saints and angels in giving praise to the Most Holy Trinity. Indeed, the very word Eucharist means “thanksgiving”.

If we desire to cultivate genuine Christian gratitude, we should attend Mass as frequently as our duties permit. We should also remember what God owes us according to our merits alone: Hell. Far from producing despair, this truth should inspire hope. Every moment we continue to draw breath is an act of divine mercy. Every moment is another opportunity to repent, to begin again and to thank the Lord for His goodness.

Finally, we should make a habit of consciously recalling God’s gifts. Take a pen and paper if necessary. Write down the many blessings you have received, both internal and external. Count your friendships, your family, your abilities, your opportunities, your faith and the countless mercies God has shown you throughout your life.

Above all, never forget the greatest gift of all: that God gave us His Son while we were still His enemies, so that we might become His children.

“I love Thee, Jesus my love; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.” – St Alphonsus Liguori

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