Gratitude and its forgetting in Finnish society

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Third Yearbook

Gospel Matthew 11:25–30

At that time Jesus once spoke out and said:

“I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children. For this is what you, Father, have seen fit.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart. And you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:25–30 Third Edition)

Introduction

Gratitude is not just a theme that belongs to church services. It is also an important part of our daily lives that we tend to forget in the midst of busy everyday life. One of the most powerful examples of the importance of gratitude is the Bible story of the ten lepers. Only one of them returned to thank Jesus. This raises an important question: how often do we really give thanks in our lives? Every day there are countless gifts from God, but they can go unnoticed if we do not stop to see them.

Many of us think that we have achieved everything ourselves through our own work. However, it is good to remember that health, work and the happiness we experience throughout our lives are gifts from God. When we look at the lack of gratitude, the question arises: how often do we even think about God? Statistics show that in Finland only about 20% of people regularly attend church services. This may indicate a trend where expressing gratitude has received less attention.

Martin Luther's view on gratitude

Martin Luther's funny and colorful words: "Not even a pig can live so ungratefully" are still relevant. The pig knows its thanker and runs after its caregiver. This illustrates how important it is to remember those who do us good. However, gratitude is not limited to food or care. It affects our own quality of life. When we stop to think about how many times a day we actually give thanks, we can notice that many things go unnoticed. For example, waking up in the morning, family support or conversations between friends can go unnoticed.

Reasons for Finns' gratitude

In Finland, there are many things to be grateful for. We live in an independent and stable country with access to education and healthcare. Martin Luther's legacy urges us to remember that there are also those in our society who need help. Recently, for example, the well-being of young people and the elderly has been discussed. About 10% of Finns are over 75. Investing in the care of the elderly and the education of young people is important for all of us. We should remember that healthcare, education and social protection are things we can be grateful for, but also things we can help improve.

Gratitude for the small moments of life

As we age, important moments can come to us that remind us that small is often beautiful. Pensioners in particular highlight the importance of health. For example, research has shown that people who lead healthy lifestyles experience significantly higher levels of happiness than those who live less healthily. Gratitude can arise from spending time with friends or enjoying beautiful nature. These are things that help us find peace in our everyday lives.

Turning complaining into gratitude

Complaining is part of human nature, which we can all fall into at times. Martin Luther's thought urges us to turn our gaze from our shortcomings and instead focus on gratitude. For example, when we follow the news, we can see people who are living in very difficult circumstances. This can help us remember how lucky we are in our own lives.

The effects of gratitude are well-studied and proven. For example, studies have shown that grateful people are less likely to be depressed and stressed. Practicing gratitude can also improve social relationships: expressing gratitude can make our friends feel appreciated and feelings of closeness are strengthened. When we learn to be grateful, we also notice that there is a lot of good around us. Instead of worrying about our shortcomings, we can admire the richness of our lives.

Practicing gratitude in everyday life and society

There are many ways to practice gratitude. One effective method is to keep a notebook in which you write down reasons for gratitude. This can be anything, such as a message from a friend or a sunny day. When we share moments of gratitude with those around us, we can encourage them to do the same. Practicing gratitude properly can lead to a more fulfilled and happier life. When we start to notice our reasons for gratitude in our everyday lives, we realize that there are many.

As a Finnish society, we have a responsibility to take care of each other. This is one reason to be grateful to God: we live in a country where social justice is important to us. The services provided by the welfare state are things for which we can be grateful. However, we must remember that the responsibility also lies with us: we should support the most vulnerable. When we are grateful for health, education and social protection, we must also act for them. We can participate in different ways and be active citizens.

Summary

Gratitude is an important theme in our lives, and its disappearance can affect both individuals and society. Martin Luther’s wisdom reminds us of the importance of giving thanks to God. By learning to notice the good things in life, we can raise our own level of gratitude. This not only contributes to our own well-being, but also to positive development in the surrounding society.

Gratitude is more than a feeling; it is an attitude that affects the quality of our lives. So let us be grateful for every moment and opportunity that we receive. This will allow us to grow personally and positively influence our environment.