Diana Butler Bass is an author, speaker, and independent scholar specializing in American religion and culture — and a long time friend of All Saints Church. She holds a Ph.D. in religious studies from Duke University and is the award-winning author of ten books. Her bylines include The Washington Post, The New York Times Syndicate, and she comments widely on religion, politics, and culture widely in the media.
She has written a wonderful new book entitled Grateful – weaving together social science research, spiritual wisdom, and contemporary issues in a call for a richer understanding and practice of gratitude. What emerges are surprising insights about the power of thankful living to change how we treat one another, and how we might transform our world.
In her recent NYT op-ed, Diana wrote:
The emperor Caesar — the head of the Roman empire — was believed to be “lord and savior.” He owned everything, the benefactor who distributed his gifts and favors (“gratia” in Latin) at will. Even if you were a slave with a single piece of bread to eat, that bread was considered a gift of the emperor’s. Caesar’s gifts, however, were not free. They were transactional. When you received from Caesar, you were expected to return gratitude, your “gratia,” through tributes, tithes, taxes, loyalty and military service. Until you returned appropriate thanks, you were in Caesar’s debt. If you failed to fulfill your obligation, you were an “ingrate,” which was a political crime punishable by the seizure of your property, prison, exile or execution …
There is, however, an alternative to the pyramid of gratitude: a table. One of the enduring images of American self-understanding is that of a Thanksgiving table, where people celebrate abundance, serve one another and make sure all are fed. People give with no expectation of return, and joy replaces obligation. This vision of gratitude is truly virtuous, sustains the common good, ensures a circle of equality, and strengthens community.
We are delighted to welcome Diana back to All Saints Church on Sunday, May 13. She will be our preacher at the 9:00 and 11:15am services and our speaker in the Rector’s Forum at 10:15. Books will be available for purchase.
If you can’t be with us in person, join us via live stream at 10:15 for the Forum and at 11:15 for the service. For directions to All Saints, visit our Welcome page. For more information call 626.796.1172 or email us at info@allsaints-pas.org
