It is Good

A Reflection on the Psalm for February 27th, 2022:
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Psalm 92

R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. 

R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. 

R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. 

R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
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 Thank you cards. I receive them. I write them.


Well, more often than not these days, it’s a thank you email versus a physical card.


It’s a small way I can intentionally let the other person know: I see you and value you, and more specifically, I am grateful for you. For me, this is important. It’s a small thing that can make a big impact.


When I was young, I was taught to express thanks. As I grew older, that act of acknowledging what others gave to me — IRL or in a figurative sense — was an important part of who I became and what I did. My experiences taught me that the good things I am able to do are most often the result of the good that others have done for me. Whether that be sharing a particular skill or talent, a creative collaboration, nuggets of wisdom spoken, or simply the encouragement (Or challenge!) I needed to make something happen. And so, I thank others.


But sometimes… I forget. Or I leave the words unsaid. Or worse, I simply take the other, or the action, for granted. This happens in my relationship with God too. God has done so much for me, with me, though me, and even without me. How could I not be grateful!  The trouble is, I often take His presence, His guidance, His gifts, His good for granted. I’m so focused on the next “thing” that needs to happen that I don’t take time to say thank you for what has happened or is happening.


Thus I am thankful for this psalm and it’s writer. The psalms are always a response to a situation or action between our biblical ancestors and our God. The psalmist has lived an encounter with God that caused him to respond in thanksgiving.


This is the psalmist’s thank you card.


It was not written just to give lip service but rather to express great gratitude for and recognition of God’s goodness. The psalmist reminds us the same holds true today, and so I thank him.


There are a myriad of books, talks, workshops, and podcasts that extol the virtues of being grateful; creating an attitude of gratitude. And that is a good thing. Yet as disciples of Christ we are called to more. We must also know fully and deeply to whom we are grateful.


Recently, I have begun more consciously thanking God first thing in the morning. As soon as I wake I say: “Thank you God.” I’m actually quite flabbergasted sometimes at how this simple act sets my day. It heightens my awareness of how God is active in my life — the life for which He created me. A life that I am grateful for because of God’s goodness to me through the people I love, the places I go, and the things I get to do. Every day God gives goodness, and desires to receive my goodness in return. And so, I thank because it is good.




Aurea Sadi

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