Gratitude is a contagion. A rapid-spreading disease. I once heard a man say, “Isn’t it strange that you can catch sickness but you can’t catch health?” The only thing strange was this man’s blinded analysis. It is strange indeed to say you can only catch sickness. Or to claim that only a case of the pouty pots can be passed on from one person to another. Jesus came touching the leper and health was passed along instead of the skin plague. Jesus came and sight was given to the blind, life to the dead. 

Since Christ has come into this world, Thankfulness has owned the center of the cosmos. Sulkers beware. Let the ingrates run and hide if they would escape. But I’m not betting on their successful retreat. Look around and number His blessing if you can: don’t forget the ones that pop and sizzle, the ones that drag their heels across your taste buds. As you give thanks for these, remember you do not give thanks ex nihilo. Gratefulness is given to you by the Happy Son of Mary and there is simply no stopping the spread of His gratitude.