Before Wirzba explains
his meaning of giving thanks, he asks the question: is creation a gift? He
says, “If gratitude follows from an appreciation of the world and this life as
a gift from God, then is it important to describe what it means to say that
creation is a gift. What is a gift? Can a gift be given and received, and if
so, how” (Wirzba 144)? I find this question very interesting to think about;
when you give something to me I always think of it as an exchange. I mean we
normally give gifts to symbolize our appreciation for someone, or a gift can
even be used to reward someone. But with this in mind, Wirzba argues that “…if
a gift is part of an exchange called into being by obligation, guilt, a desire
to influence, or payment for services, then it is no longer a gift” (145).
Therefore, in his mind, it’s impossible to think of any creature that is
entirely free to give and receive. Instead, we must question how do we receive
and give?
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