I went out to cut the grass last week, and my electric lawnmower was non-functional. I researched my records and found that I bought it in April 2014 – 7 years ago. So it did well. I went to Lowe’s and bought a replacement for about what I paid for the first one – except the new one has better batteries and is self-propelled, a feature I can use or not as I choose.

Thanks to God for companies that make and continue to improve useful products and for stores that sell them and have them in stock. Thanks also that I have the money to buy a new lawnmower, and the strength to use it.

While I was cutting grass I was re-listening to a book on Audible: The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our LivesToday by Timothy M. Gallagher. In chapter 3 he writes about what Ignatius of Loyala said about gratitude:

In one of his letters Ignatius explains more at length his thought regarding gratitude. In speaking of what is for him the almost unendurable thought of ingratitude, Ignatius energetically describes—both by negation and by affirmation—the unique power of gratitude in our relationship with God and with each other. He writes:

May the highest grace and the everlasting love of Christ our Lord be our never-failing protection and help. It seems to me, in the light of the divine Goodness, though others may think differently, that ingratitude is one of the things most worthy of detestation before our Creator and Lord, and before all creatures capable of his divine and everlasting glory, out of all the evils and sins which can be imagined. For it is a failure to recognize the good things, the graces, and the gifts received. As such, it is the cause, beginning, and origin of all evils and sins. On the contrary, recognition and gratitude for the good things and gifts received is greatly loved and esteemed both in heaven and on earth.

It would be difficult to express more strongly a sense of the incomparable value of gratitude. – From The Examen Prayer by Timothy Gallagher

The Apostle Paul would agree:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1.18 – 21, ESV, emphasis mine)

The spiral into sin from there is ugly: see Romans 1.18 – 32.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5.18, ESV)