A couple holds a child’s hands as they watch waves crash near the shore of Rehoboth Beach, Del., Aug. 19, 2025. OSV NEWS PHOTO/GREGORY A. SHEMITZ

BY DR. JEFF ANDRINI, EVANGELIZATION & DISCIPLESHIP

One of my favorite scripture verses is “Rejoice in the Lord always, I say it again, rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).

The treasures we have in the Bible as Catholic Christians are worth more than all the gold in the world. It is only in seeking and experiencing God, that we can find the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives: “… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Without God our lives become a mess of selfish actions that create so much chaos, and gratitude is one of best places to start on a road to healing and hope.

On Oct. 28, 1988, I experienced a conversion, or some call a reversion, as I grew up Catholic, and I read the previous scripture, and I had not one of these fruits in my life. I was selfish, abused alcohol and drugs, and only looked out for my own interests. In coming back to my faith, I was amazed at how the Holy Spirit transformed my life immediately and set me on a new path. I honestly feel like the richest man in the world.

I am so grateful for this transformation in my life. When I get bogged down in daily worries, I remember the words of the psalmist “He brought me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud; and He set my feet on a rock, making my footsteps firm” (Psalm 40:2), and I am forever grateful!

It is easy to be overwhelmed by the realities of our world today, but we are reminded that, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit form a communion of love, and we are invited into that communion.

Did you wake up this morning? Take a shower with hot water? Brush your teeth and eat a good breakfast? Did you know you were going to eat lunch and dinner? Have something productive to do today? In your next prayer time (hopefully you have a custom of having an appointment with God each day) at least ask God to show you all your blessings and take 10 minutes to reflect on them.

Thanksgiving is at the heart of being grateful, which is a fruit of being a disciple of Jesus. We realize that we can trust the Lord for what we need. Feeling down-hearted, fearful, like we are living in the end of times? Start a new practice: foster gratitude.

Peace in Christ and Happy Thanksgiving!

Jeff

Dr. Jeff Andrini is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Discipleship. He can be reached at [email protected].

Originally printed in the November 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.