REFLECTIONS TODAY
One thing is sure: God does not need our gratitude, nor does he hold any grudge, even if we fail to thank Him, at times.
And yet, to be grateful or mindful of what God has done for us seems to be the main point of the parable of the 10 lepers.
God praises one of them, a Samaritan, who returns to Jesus and gives thanks. We might “forgive” the nine others for not returning as they are perhaps overcome with so much joy and thus forget to return to Jesus.
Still, Jesus seems to underline that we ought always to be mindful of what God has done for us continually and express our gratitude to Him.
Certainly, the gratefulness of this “outsider” (Samaritan) inspires us to be grateful to God every day, as we realize we do not deserve to be the beneficiary of His blessings.
No one is entitled to something before God: we are all merely recipients of His graciousness.
At the very least, we ought to express our gratitude to Him whether the blessing we receive is small or extraordinary.
First Reading • Ti 3:1-7
Beloved: Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise.
They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone.
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.
But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
Gospel • Luke 17:11-19
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, 10 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.”
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.