Gratitude and thanksgiving

We studied these verses as our devotional at the bishop's committee meeting last night. (That's what we call our church board, as a mission parish in the Episcopal Church.)

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is ‘Thank you,’ it will be enough.”
- Meister Eckhart (Dominican monk and mystic, 13th century)

(2 translations of 1 Thessalonians):
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
- St. Paul, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, New Revised Standard Version

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
- St. Paul, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, The Message (Eugene Peterson)


People has some interesting reflections. One of us said "Thank you" didn't seem like enough -- she talks to God about everything. Other didn't like Peterson's translation of "rejoice" as "be cheerful." It sounded superficial, like "Keep smiling."

The whole idea of giving thanks can start to seem trite around Thanksgiving. It can be a Pollyanna exercise, or a list-making, or something that shuts down our valid feelings of grief, anger, or fear. And yet, it's a pretty powerful spiritual discipline to try to find something to thank God for in all circumstances. As one person said in our meeting, it's a discipline that opens you up to God's presence, instead of closing you up in despair or anger. "Giving thanks in all circumstances," while not always easy, might actually make our lives better.

But the wording: "thanking God no matter what happens" sounds more like a directive or a forcing of gratitude. And spiritual disciplines can never be like self-punishment and be effective. Sorry Eugene -- so often I find your translations to open up God's word, but here I think they close it in.