Homily 54 for the Tenth Sunday of St. Luke (before the Sunday of the Forefathers) is taken from
St. Gregory Palamas, The Homilies, Ed. and Trans. by Christopher Veniamin, Mount Thabor Publishing, 2009.
p. 451-452, paragraph 16:
.... No man clad in the bulky garment of vainglory and pride can go through the narrow gate, nor anyone laden with the burden of greed or love of possessions, nor anyone made dissolute by pleasure and self-indulgence. That is why jesting and wit are not appropriate for Christians, because they bring dissipation to the soul. Nor is foolish chatter, as it is a sign of pride; nor foul speech, because it provides fuel and encouragement for fornication. "But rather", as Paul goes on to say, "giving of thanks" (Eph. 5:4).
p. 452, paragraph 17:
The statement that filthiness and jocularity are not fitting for saints, whereas thanksgiving is, may seen inconsequent. In fact, however, the words follow a very logical order. Since here he is calling saints those hallowed through the grace of baptism in Christ, the precise meaning of what he is telling us is this. As we have freely received such great grace, it does not befit us to occupy ourselves with anything other than thanking Him who bestowed this magnificent gift, and who not only provided it but gave it as the pledge of our eternal inheritance (cf. Eph. 1:13-14), if, that is, we hold firm this pledge to the end through good works.
As we have learned, the greatest way of giving thanks to the Lord is by participating in the Divine Liturgy and receiving Holy Communion (Greek: Eucharista which means thanksgiving). Giving thanks and praise to God is the highest form of worship that we creatures can offer our Creator and God. And St. Gregory Palamas is correct. If our minds are filled with the cares of this world and with dissipation, then we do not render God proper thanksgiving for all His gifts to us.
