Bishop of Banjul calls for constant thanksgiving for God’s gifts of life and health

The Bishop of Banjul Diocese in Gambia, Bishop Gabriel Mendy, has urged the people of God in the country to cultivate a spirit of continual thanksgiving for the precious gifts of life and health, particularly as they begin the new year.

Reflecting on the principle of unconditional gratitude in a New Year’s Message, Bishop Mendy highlighted the importance of acknowledging God’s provision in all circumstances, regardless of the challenges life may present.

The Bishop emphasised that the faithful should be grateful for their vocation, life, and future prospects, regardless of immediate benefits. “We should express our gratitude to God in all circumstances for our vocation, our life, and for the prospects we have in life,” said Bishop Mendy. “Our gratitude to God should therefore not be limited to what is useful and beneficial to us.”

Bishop Mendy, who has led the Diocese of Banjul since his episcopal ordination in February 2018, pointed out that true thanksgiving, according to St. Paul, transcends simply responding to material blessings. “We should always, as St. Paul says, give thanks to God in all circumstances both in good and bad times, in times of joy and sorrow,” he said.

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“We should not expect God to grant our prayers, needs, and plans in the new year before we offer our thanksgiving to Him, nor should we wait until we are successful, rich, or comfortable in the new year before we express our gratitude to God.”

The Bishop also reminded the people of God that their lives and health are not their own provision but are, in fact, gifts from God. He urged them to recognise these blessings and give thanks unconditionally. “Our lives and health are not our provision but God’s precious gifts to us, we should therefore give thanks to God at all times and in all circumstances for our existence no matter our experiences and misfortunes in life,” he said.

Bishop Mendy further underscored the importance of giving thanks for spiritual gifts, including those received during the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, consecration, and ordination. “God is also the source of our faith, as well as our spiritual and human gifts and vocation, for that reason, we are obliged to always thank Him for these sacred gifts we received during baptism, confirmation, consecration, and ordination,” the Bishop said.

While acknowledging that life’s journey may involve suffering and failure, the Bishop encouraged the people of God to view these challenges as opportunities for deeper thanksgiving. “Failures and suffering should instead promote a thanksgiving heart,” he said.

The Bishop also highlighted various forms of thanksgiving, including participation in the Eucharistic celebration, daily prayers, offerings, acts of charity, and selfless service to God and humanity. He encouraged the faithful to offer their lives in service without counting the cost, stressing that even small acts of devotion are valuable expressions of gratitude.

“We should not underestimate the gifts and offerings we present to God if we dedicate ourselves at the service of God and humanity without counting the cost,” he said. “Our work and life of witness can also be our gratitude to God for His wondrous blessings.”

Watch Bishop Mendy’s New Year Message below