Recently, I found myself impatiently waiting at roadworks that seemed to drag on for ever.
I caught myself grumbling and complaining about the few minutes I had to wait, but then I thought, “I can’t believe I’m complaining and being so ungrateful for the short delay.”
Once the roadworks were finished, we would have a magnificent road.
When I was a young priest, I lived for six years in another country where there were no roadworks.
The road system was atrocious, and I often found myself having to dig around landslides, wade through deep mud, turn back or continue my journey on foot.
The roads were either unbelievably bad or almost impassable.
Roadworks were almost non-existent.
Gratitude is its own reward.
So often, we need to step back from where we are and realise how blessed we are to live in Australia.
While we have our own challenges, we are still far better off than most people in the world.
Our health system is one of the best in the world, our education system is accessible to everyone and we have hot and cold running water in our homes.
Electricity is available at the flick of a switch, and we have more choices in food and drink than most people in the world.
Pharmacies with medications are on nearly every corner, we have a social welfare system that serves as a safety net and we have a road network that most countries would envy.
In one instance in the Gospel of Luke, we hear Jesus speaking about gratitude, as he often did.
This is found in the passage where Jesus heals 10 lepers.
He was saddened that only one returned to thank him, but he praised the man for his gratitude (Lk 17:11-17).
To cultivate the gift of gratitude, we need to take a deep breath, step back and remind ourselves of what we already have.
One of my good friends always reminds me that a Christian is a person who goes through life thanking God.
Next time you stop for roadworks, take a moment to be grateful for those who maintain our roads.
— Fr Joe Taylor
Fr Joe has dedicated his ministry to serving communities across Bendigo, Wangaratta, Kerang, Wodonga, Euroa, Heathcote and Dookie before arriving at St Brendan’s Catholic Parish in Shepparton 12 years ago.
As the Parish Priest of both Shepparton and Dookie, he continues to provide spiritual leadership and support. In addition to his parish duties, he also serves as the Vicar General of the Diocese.
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