If you refuse to accept a gift you have nothing for which to be grateful.

As we gather at Mass to follow Jesus' command to "do this in remembrance of me," we might take a moment to consider what this means.

In the scheme of our lives, too, we have many reasons to be grateful—though we don’t always focus on them. Things that are wrong and need attention take up a lot more space in our field of vision.

It was all of a piece, the joyous arrival of the gifts, the waiting, the unwrapping, the thank-you notes. Mom integrated gratitude into the whole process.

We're always aware of our pain; we're not always aware of our healing.

By the time I got to my car I was no less full, but I felt a little better. I had learned a lesson in generosity from a beggar sitting on a step.

Think of 10 suffering people upon whom you can cast pity and help in some way in the next week.

We turn to our ever-faithful God to pray for forgiveness.

Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" Besides the words of the lepers, only two other times in the gospels is Jesus addressed only by his name.

Jesus proclaimed to sinners, to human beings doomed to death, that they could be saved only by a radical faith, a wholehearted conversion, and new obedience to the one God.