"Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" (Lk. 17:18)
This is the 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Ten lepers were cleansed by Jesus but only one came back to give thanks. Gratitude is the rarest flower in the garden of the virtues. God manifests his love for us by giving us gifts. We have been given the gift of our life, faith, family, education, etc. There are also many other smaller gifts we receive daily but can only perceive with a grateful heart. Even suffering can be considered a gift because of God's goodness. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!
The grateful person has a bag whose opening is widened through acts of gratitude and is able to receive more. The opposite is entitlement. One considers everything as coming from human effort alone without reference to God. This person has a bag whose opening is so small, God's gifts can't enter.
Questions for Reflection:
- Do I take things for granted?
- Am I aware that everything I am and have comes from God?
- Do I feel that I never have enough or do I appreciate what I have been given?
