25. Thanksgiving

"In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thes. 5: 18). In addition to its spiritual benefits, gratitude affects human health, mood, and the brain. This episode of Physically Spiritual explores Thanksgiving.

Video Version

Audio Version

Timestamps

2:45 - 1 Thessalonians 5: 18

3:30 - Colossians 5:18

4:15 - Spiritual Effects of Thanksgiving

5:00 - The Eucharist

7:00 - Physical Effects of Thanksgiving

9:45 - Tips to Practice Gratitude

15:15 - My Gratitude

Notes

"In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5: 18 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/5

"Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” Colossians 5:18 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/4

“Thanksgiving characterizes the prayer of the Church which, in celebrating the Eucharist, reveals and becomes more fully what she is. Indeed, in the work of salvation, Christ sets creation free from sin and death to consecrate it anew and make it return to the Father, for his glory. The thanksgiving of the members of the Body participates in that of their Head.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2637 - http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p4s1c1a3.htm

Eucharistia = Thanksgiving - https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/eucharistia.html

“The difference between corporeal and spiritual food lies in this, that the former is changed into the substance of the person nourished, and consequently it cannot avail for supporting life except it be partaken of; but spiritual food changes man into itself, according to that saying of Augustine (Confess. vii), that he heard the voice of Christ as it were saying to him: ‘Nor shalt thou change Me into thyself, as food of thy flesh, but thou shalt be changed into Me.’” St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, III 73.3 Ad.2 - https://www.newadvent.org/summa/4073.htm

Gratitude is associated with:

1. improved sleep - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022399908004224

2.  better romantic relationships - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01273.x

3. protection from illnesses - https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-13991-003

4. increase motivation to  exercise - https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2003-01140-012

5. boosted happiness - https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sbp/sbp/2003/00000031/00000005/art00001

How Gratitude Changes Your Brain

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_can_the_brain_reveal_about_gratitude

Practicing Gratitude:

1. Go to Mass especially on Thanksgiving.

2. Gratitude Conversation - tell people when you are grateful for them

3. Keep a Gratitude Journal - write a few gratitudes a day

4. Gratitude Letters - write a letter to someone expressing your thanks

5. Give in Gratitude

Read more about Becoming Gift at https://www.becominggift.com/post/becoming-gift
Get support applying the ideas from this podcast at https://www.becominggift.com/coach