During his General Audience, the pope reflected on the prayer of thanksgiving. He explained that this type of prayer “is inspired by gratitude for the love of God revealed in the coming of Jesus.”
He also pointed out “the great difference between hearts that are thankful and those that are not,” and he invited Christians to fervently pray out of gratitude for God's grace.
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS IN ENGLISH:
Dear brothers and sisters:
As part of our continuing catechesis on prayer, we now turn to the prayer of thanksgiving. Saint Luke tells us that of the ten lepers healed by Jesus, only one came back to thank the Lord.
This passage reminds us of the importance of gratitude. It shows the great difference between hearts that are thankful and those that are not; between people who see everything as their entitlement and those who receive everything as grace. As Christians, our prayer of thanksgiving is inspired by gratitude for the love of God revealed in the coming of Jesus, his Son and our Savior.
The Gospel accounts of Christ’s birth show us how the coming of the Messiah was welcomed by hearts that trusted and prayed for the fulfillment of God’s promises. May our celebration of this Christmas season be marked by fervent prayer of thanksgiving for the outpouring of God’s redemptive grace upon our world. May these prayers enlarge our hearts and enable us to bring the hope and joy of the Gospel to all around us, especially to our brothers and sisters most in need.
I cordially greet the English-speaking faithful. May each of you, and your families, cherish the joy of this Christmas season and draw near in prayer to the Savior who has come to dwell among us. God bless you!
