A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (17:11-19)
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
REFLECTION: God does so much for us! Every day, He provides everything we need: talents, work, food, clothing, a place to live, family, neighbors, and the list goes on and on. But do we say, “Thank You” to Him, EVERY DAY?
Today’s Gospel recounts the familiar story, of the ten lepers that were cleanse by Jesus, but only one, realizing he had been healed, returned. Glorifying God, fell at the feet of Jesus, and thanked Him. And Jesus asked him, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Think about how often, we are like the nine lepers. We pray for a job, for good health, for the safety of our family, and when our prayers are answered, we rush on with our lives. We are grateful in the moment. But the profound gratitude, that prompts us to return and give thanks, fades, as we get caught up, in the details of our restored lives. But the Samaritan, teaches us, that a simple “thank you”, can be a profound act of worship. It reminds us, that everything we have—the breath in our lungs, the love in our families, and the daily graces—is a gift from a loving God. A heart filled with gratitude, is a heart that is open to God’s presence.
Today, not in a couple of weeks, when our nation celebrates “Thanksgiving Day”, let’s reflect on the countless blessings, in our own lives, not just the big miracles but the everyday mercies. Let us not be like the nine, who received but forgot. Instead, let us imitate the one who returned. Let our prayers be more than, just petitions; let them be, expressions of heartfelt thanks. For in the act of saying “thank you,” we do not just acknowledge a gift, we acknowledge the Giver. And in that acknowledgment, we are made truly whole.
Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr. And the story of the ten lepers in today’s Gospel, provides a great backdrop, for understanding Saint Josaphat’s life and ministry, especially his efforts, toward Christian unity and his sacrificial death. Unlike the nine in today’s Gospel, Josaphat’s entire life, was a testament of gratitude, and praise for the Catholic faith. His personal spiritual journey was marked, by intense prayer and self-denial, reflecting a deep spiritual wholeness, that went beyond, a superficial acknowledgment of grace. His ministry and final sacrifice of his life were the fruit, of a profound spiritual healing, which manifested, as his willingness, to “lay down his life for the sheep,” just as Jesus called for.
ACTION FOR THE DAY: Reflect on today’s Gospel, and the many ways and opportunities you have daily, to practice gratitude, seek spiritual wholeness, and embrace and show mercy, toward social outcasts. Then, look around you for ways, in which you can extend kindness, to those who are often invisible, or marginalized, in your own community.
AUDIO REFLECTION:
