Posted by The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Jun Balay SVD – Cebu City
Wednesday 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Gratefulness is a virtue. Nowadays being thankful requires courage. Today’s “me-centered” culture is leading us to assume that we are somehow entitled to everything and we can make demands without giving anything in return, without giving thanks for the gifts we have received.
Jesus in today’s gospel, asks: “Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Ten lepers came to Jesus pleading to be healed and yet only one returned to give thanks to him. Where were the other nine? And take note: the one who gratefully returned was not a Jew but a Samaritan. I ask, “Is it difficult to be grateful?”
To be grateful, we need awareness of the gifts we receive each day and appreciation of the generosity of others, particularly the giver. We need awareness that life is a gift. We are not entitled to it; it was given to us out of the generosity of the giver. We’re not self-made. Healing is, likewise, a gift out of the generosity of the divine Healer, Jesus.
This awareness moves our will to reciprocate these gifts by putting them at the service of others. For example, doing small things like smiling and saying “thank you” for everything you receive, no matter how small or unimportant. Make an effort to thank others for the work they do for you, and recognize their efforts though little it might be, and lastly, learn to see the needs of others.
Lepers came to Jesus and asked for healing freely given, but to come back to Jesus and say “thank you” requires courage and noble character. This gesture of the Samaritan is teaching us to check and reflect on our own virtues, values, and character.
