We are coming up to the 50th Anniversary of our building here at St Thomas and we are throwing a big celebration. It might feel strange to celebrate the building of a structure that happened 50 years ago, particularly if you weren’t there to see it, and the building has just always been there. The reason this event is so important all comes down to one word: gratitude.
Gratitude is a word that is very much in vogue at the moment. It is praised regularly on shows like Oprah, is the main topic in a myriad of books, and is the cornerstone of mindfulness practice, which is also very much in vogue. The latest findings from neuroscience confirm the goodness of gratitude to the human psyche, it is helpful for many of our problems.
Yet many today forget that gratefulness is the default mode for Christians. What western society is just discovering – the benefits of gratitude – has been part of Christianity from the very beginning. Take these words from the apostle Paul to the church in Philippi as an example: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6). Or these words to the church in Colossae: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15).
Jesus made gratitude a regular part of his life, for example when feeding the 5,000 Mark writes about Jesus: “Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.” (Mark 6:41). Jesus does the same with the feeding of the 4,000 a couple of chapters later (Mark 8:7) and again at the last supper (Mark 14:22).
Christians have followed this pattern of gratitude by giving thanks each time they eat. Acknowledging with gratitude the good gifts that God has given us.
And so we come back to our building. For many Christians around the world having a building is a luxury that they will be unable to obtain. This might be because of difficult finances, or an unjust system that penalises Christians and mires any attempt to buy or build a building in red tape.
Our building here at St. Thomas is a gathering place for us. It is a space where we can come as God’s people; His living temple made of living stones and worship Him. We come to hear His word read aloud, and to have it expounded before us. A place where we come to break bread and remember that sacrifice, made once for all, for us on the cross.
Therefore, our default mode when we come to the 50th anniversary of our building is to celebrate, because that’s what Christians do – we give thanks with grateful hearts for all that God has done, is doing, and will do through His mighty Hand. See you at the party.