“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful… And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” — Colossians 3:15,17
Ah, gratitude. It’s one of those words we hear so often, especially during the holiday season, that it risks becoming another platitude. Yet, it’s something we could always spend more time reflecting on. Gratitude—and the many ways in which we express it—is something we can never exhaust.
In his homily during the canonization Mass of Giovanni Battista, Pope Francis said: “We end up thinking that all the gifts we receive each day are natural and due to us. Gratitude, the ability to give thanks, makes us appreciate instead the presence in our lives of the God who is love. And to recognize the importance of others, overcoming the dissatisfaction and indifference that disfigure our hearts. It is essential to know how to say ‘thank you.’”1
Gratitude, then, is more than an action—it is a state of being, a disposition to receive humbly and joyfully that which is freely given. Considered by some to be the greatest of all virtues, gratitude allows us to recognize each good thing that comes our way as a pure, unmerited gift.
Yet, it doesn’t always come easily. Maybe it’s just me, but at times I prefer people wouldn’t do me favors—especially when I’m not sure I can ever fully repay them or truly convey my gratitude. How can I ever let them know just how much their presence and actions mean to me? Or, what if they expect something in return, and I’m unable to follow through? Sometimes, I even go so far as to think that if I don’t thank them enough, they won’t help me next time.
This hesitation often carries over into my relationship with God. How can I ever express my gratitude or repay Him for the countless blessings He pours into my life (See Psalm 116)? What am I to do after He grants me that special favor I’ve been persistently asking for? What if He doesn’t answer my next prayer because I wasn’t grateful enough? The reassuring truth about this scenario is that God never expects anything in return. He doesn’t need anything from me. There’s nothing I could give Him that He doesn’t already possess. But there’s one thingHe desires—my love.
Still, I want Him to know just how grateful I am, not just for the countless blessings He bestows upon me, but also for all the times He has held and sustained me through difficult times. And also, because I love Him!
So, what are some simple ways to show our gratitude to God, this season and beyond? Here are a few that have been especially meaningful for me.
1. Celebrate the Mass: The word Eucharist itself means “thanksgiving” and it is the highest form of praise and gratitude we can offer to God. Even better, we never do it alone. At Mass, we find ourselves in the company of all the angels and saints who are eternally grateful to God for His infinite goodness, wisdom, and mercy seen in His gifts of creation, salvation, and eternal beatitude.
We unite our voices to theirs in an endless act of praise to the Creator.
2. Go to Confession: One of the greatest gifts God continually bestows upon us is His forgiveness. What better way to express our gratitude than to turn to Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, receiving His mercy and thanking Him for His unconditional love? Every time we choose to go to Confession we give thanks to God for allowing us to be in right relationship with Him.
3. Spend time with Him in Adoration: Taking time during the busyness of our schedules to visit the Blessed Sacrament is a powerful act of gratitude. We don’t even need to use words! Just our time and attention in the silence and stillness of the Adoration Chapel shows our gratitude. Our loving gaze is a sign of our love for Him.
4. Sing your heart out: There are so many songs out there specifically written in response to ways in which the Lord has worked in the life of the composer. Find some hymns or worship songs that resonate with you and shout to the Lord how much He means to you and how grateful you are for His wonderful deeds. Don’t worry, He won’t judge your singing.
5. Put your thoughts in writing: Pull out a journal and write down two or three things you’re grateful for—anything that flows naturally from your heart. Doing this daily, or a few times a week, allows you to slow down and spend time pondering God’s concrete actions and their effect in your life. Plus, you can always come back to it after some time and relish the times God has been faithful to you.
Granted, there’s many other ways to show gratitude to God. Find the ones that work best for you and go for it! Remember that it is not about grand gestures. A grateful heart is all He wants.
1 “Holy Mass and Canonization: Giovanni Battista Scalabrini and Artemide Zatti.” Homily, St. Peter’s Square, October 9, 2022. Accessed September 9, 2025. Vatican.va. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2022/documents/20221009-omelia-canonizzazione.html.
