Readings: Titus 3:1-7, Ps. 23, Luke 17:11-19
“‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:17-19)
Giving thanks is more than just uttering the words “thank you”. It is a way of thinking. It is having a deep appreciation for one’s life, just as it is now. We often ask ourselves: “Why should I give thanks when I haven’t got this or that?
- Humans are naturally ungrateful; we focus on our problems and are always occupied with solving challenges. It takes a conscious effort to be grateful or even to notice the beautiful things in our lives. We have to train our minds each day to relax from its problem-finding mode to a gratitude mode.
- In our Gospel passage, Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to give thanks to God, and he was even a foreigner. If we are honest with ourselves, we are most likely among the other nine who did not consider it important to return thanks. Have you noticed how you are so worried about a certain problem that the moment it is solved, you become worried about another problem you didn’t even know existed?
- While these lepers were out there ostracised, they felt their only problem was being cured of leprosy, but the moment they realised they had been cured, their minds instantly reminded them of other problems.
- Within a split second, they must have gone from extreme excitement to complete sadness with thoughts such as: “How do I begin to pick up the pieces of my life now? Do I return to the family that left me to die in the leper’s colony without even a show of concern? I could beg for alms as a leper, but now, who will give me since I am no longer a leper?” We could go on and on.
- Like most of us, these nine lepers didn’t think it necessary to give thanks. They probably saw their cure as a new problem.
- If we are to be people of gratitude (or desire to live very happy lives), we must learn to force our minds to look on the brighter side of things. We always feel bad when people do not appreciate (or complement) our favours for them. If only we were conscious of our ingratitude, we would realise we have also caused so many others pain. Gratitude is a behaviour to be learnt.
- The benefits of giving thanks are uncountable. People may say: “Don’t mention,” or “Stop thanking me”, and so on, but the truth is that, deep within them, they feel super-excited that someone is showing appreciation. It is a basic human need to be appreciated by others.
- Make someone happy today. Tell them you are grateful, give them a gift, or say something nice to appreciate what they have done. Jesus Christ was happy that this man came to give thanks, so happy that He blessed the man: “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”
- One thing that keeps us from properly giving thanks is having a sense of entitlement; it is the feeling that God or other people owe you, that they are just doing their jobs. Never forget that you are dust; to dust, you must return. “If the only prayer you ever say is ‘thank you,’ it will be enough.” (Elkhart Tolle)
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach me how to be grateful! We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Wednesday of week 32 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Titus 3:1-7, Ps. 23, Luke 17:11-19).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu