Brother Monk, what troubles you now?

No, I just labor with my soul to know we live in a “thankless world,”that’s all.

What do you mean, Brother Monk?  Do we not give our continued thanks and praise to the Lord, our God, for all the rich blessings and mercy and grace He has showered upon us these many years we have been her on Holy Island?

Yes, Brother Stephon, yes, of course…but what about the rest of the world?

Well, as I see it, it isn’t out job to make the world believe, nor to be happy nor thankful, is it?

Yet, my brother, I can shout today with joy and thanksgiving to the Lord Jesus for the birthday of His Church, after He ascended up to heaven on Pentecost in 33 A.D., and the coming of the Holy Spirit.  What about the rest of the world?

But don’t people realize everything comes from GOD, every good and decent thing? Don’t they realize He created all things, that He sustains all things, that everything, the Earth, the sky, the sun and moon, the planets and the stars of the endless universe all work in harmony by Him?

Don’t they realize that GOD has planned all things to happen when they happen, when they come on the scene in history? That all the ideas that man every dreamed to do things and make things is from GOD?

That we were created in His own image, in His likeness, and that He created Man and Woman that could produce children to continue the family line?

Or the warm sun and rain to water the earth and that all things may be sustained, and man would have food.

The wheel, farming tools, tents from animal skins, trees, plants flowers, insects, animals, fish and birds, all from God, EVEN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND MUSIC!.

The breath of life, living a healthy life or of attaining old age, all from God.

Why the heavens and earth declare the glory of God.  Look at the clouds and the wonderful colors and patterns, all the work of God- even the thunder and lighting, that too is from GOD!  The mighty oceans or the still, gentle breeze, the four seasons, all the handiwork of GOD.

And water to sustain life, this too is from GOD.

Knowing this, and the things one sees and experiences every day of his life, or experiencing the precious miracle of the birth of a baby, or recovery from an illness or operation, knowing this and more, cannot one at least give thanks to the Lord?

Or the most glorious and greatest event in human history, when God the Father gave up to die for the sins of the world His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth…so that all who believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

And to proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died; Christ has risen; Christ will come again.

And one day, perhaps soon, He shall come again to reign on earth as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, on the throne of David in Jerusalem for a thousand years, and then, eternity.

Family, children and grandchildren and friends…being a servant of the Lord…doing…helping…praying….

Therefore, let us give our eternal thanks and praise and glorify His name for all the good He has done for us, and for all the wonderful things yet planned for us, for those who believe in Him, and love Him, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit…our forever and eternal thanks.

Thank you, O LORD, our GOD.

Amen.