Be grateful

Good morning, happy Monday and blessings.

The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19 is a testimony to the healing power of Jesus Christ. But it’s more than that. It’s a witness of gratitude from a condemned man who was brought from death to life. This is what sets the story of the ten lepers apart from all the other healing stories of the New Testament, for of all those Jesus healed and raised from the dead, only this poor leper came back to say thank you.

As they were walking to the Temple or wherever the priests were, celebrating the new returned gift of life, one of them is so overtaken by emotion. He stops in his tracks. He is not content on simply taking the gift. Going to the Temple can wait. Reuniting with his family can wait. Religious observance can wait. But thanking Jesus cannot wait!  His spiritual obligation took precedence over all other obligations. Not only does he want to thank Jesus, but he wanted to give himself to Jesus. He had something more important even than finding a priest. Jesus had healed him; he must thank Jesus. And so, he did. I wonder, am I doing the same by setting the wrong priorities in my relationship with Jesus.  

Now here is the punch line. This man was a Samaritan (v.16), implying that the rest were Jews. He is the last guy you would think would receive healing (especially in Jewish eyes), but the only one who truly has faith.  Jesus expresses his sadness and disappointment. “Where are the nine?” He says. I wonder, am I doing the same by setting aside my daily and religious obligations instead of saying thank you to Jesus?

I wonder if Jesus looks out today at our churches and ask the same question. “Where are the ones whom I have given my gifts to? Where are the ones who are truly thankful for what I have done for them in their lives? Where are the ones who remember how bad a condition they were in before I delivered them?” Where are the nine? Why is it that when blessings come, people do not thank God yet when problems come, they are quick to blame God? We are quick to write our blessings in sand but engrave our complaints in marble. I never understood that logic! This reality of not being grateful I want to change it in my life today.

Blessings

Fr. Luis+