(Wednesday of the 32nd Week of OT)
Readings: Titus 3:1-7, Psalm 23, & Luke 17:11-19.
"Stand up and go your way; your faith has been your salvation" (Luke 17:19).
When Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, ten lepers approached him. They asked him to have mercy on them. Jesus asked them to go and see the high priest. On their way, they were healed. One of these returns to show appreciation. This made Jesus to ask “Were not ten heal?” The question is “Was Jesus expecting them to come back to thank him?” In fact no, but Jesus wants to show us something. There is the need to show appreciation when someone does something good for us.
Our thanksgiving does not add anything to the greatness of God, but it makes us grow in strength and power. St. Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians 5:18, says that there is the need to give thanks in all circumstances, whether good or bad. The act of thanksgiving is willed by God. We were once slave to sin, but God out of his mercy have saved us into his wonderful light. Therefore we cannot, but to give thanks and praise to him.
The unmerited grace of our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to be compassionate to others. Jesus today calls on us to be grateful to others. We must appreciate what people do for us. The one who returns to thank Jesus was a Samaritan. These are not in good terms with Jews, but this is the one of those healed. We should not do good to only our friends, but even our enemies. We receive many blessings from the Lord each day. How many of us appreciate what God does on our lives?
We pray that our Lord Jesus Christ may grant us the grace to know his mercy and teach us to be grateful. May the Lord bless us all. Peace and joy, Amen,