The WORD in other words (2019) by Fr Dindo Santiago SVD – Japan
Wednesday 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
One Japanese word that is very popular even among Filipinos is “Arigato,” which means “Thank you.” In Japan, this greeting would ordinarily come with a bow. Oftentimes, it is written in hiragana ありがとう.
However, looking at it written in kanji form (Chinese characters) would reveal a deeper meaning about this greeting. “Arigato” is written as 有り難い. The first kanji (難) signifying “there is (are)” and the second kanji (有) is the character for “hard or difficult (to do).” It expresses the fact that to have something is in fact a difficult thing.
Simply put, it is not easy to obtain what we actually desire or want. It teaches us not to take things for granted, as if it is an ordinary thing, as if it is naturally our right to obtain and receive everything that we have now. It reminds us to treasure what we have .
The Gospel today narrates the story of the healing of the ten lepers, with only the one Samaritan returning to Jesus glorifying God to express his gratitude. The other nine experienced healing as well but they did not only forget to say thank you, but also failed to realize or look back at how difficult indeed it was to be cleansed from their sickness. Much more, they had forgotten their difficulty when they were still with leprosy.
In our present society where almost everything is obtained instantly and easily, the word “Arigato” is a constant reminder of the blessings and graces that only God can give. Do not take things for granted. “Give thanks with a grateful heart!”
