Guest Column / Richard Etienne

May we live our lives centered on rejoicing, prayer and thanksgiving

In St. Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians, we read, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thes 5:16-18).

Really? Constantly, consistently, without ceasing?

The first idea of rejoicing is easy to accomplish when various parts of our life are going in “our favor.”

The harder part of St. Paul’s instructions come into play during the trying, sorrowful or painful times in life.

However, we are being asked to trust and rejoice through all of it because God has a plan that has not been totally revealed to us yet.

Next is the concept of prayer. Could it be that St. Paul is suggesting that all that we do in our lives at all times can be seen as a prayer? If we have the right attitude—specifically an attitude of service—can’t almost every act that we undertake be “for the greater honor and glory of God”?

Additionally, could the phrase “pray without ceasing” refer to a mindset where one dedicates all of our actions—not just our words—as a gift back to God? In this way, our life becomes one huge prayer, so that whatever task that we undertake, it is only for the building of the kingdom of God.

With regard to thanks, St. Paul is helping to remind us that everything that we possess is a gift from God, and that we should offer thanksgiving regularly for all that we have been given. And I do not believe it is a coincidence that the Greek word “eucharistia” is best translated into the word “Thanksgiving” in English.

We too often deceive ourselves into thinking that what we have is purely due to our own efforts. Consistently giving gratitude to God will help keep our mindset on track.

When I was young, our parish had an older pastor who often started homilies or phrases with, “What a wonderful world it would be if … ”

Isn’t that the idea? What a wonderful world it would be if every task that we undertake is centered on rejoicing, prayer and thanks!

So let us attempt to live life in this way—now wouldn’t that be something! It is an ideal that we can always strive toward.
 

(Richard Etienne has a degree in theology from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad and resides in Newburgh, Ind.) †