“Thrown himself on his face before Jesus, he gave him thanks.” (Lk 17:16)

Today’s gospel talks about gratitude. What is gratitude? “It is a virtue adjunct to justice. It is a due recompense we give to our benefactors be it an act of thanksgiving or with deeds or of any other way.” (CV, 52)

This is what one out of the ten lepers did, an act of thanksgiving and praises to the Lord after he was cleansed from his illness. Are we like him? Do we acknowledge the graces we received from him? He is the one who has shown us merciful and compassionate love.

Admit it or not, we are hurt when our neighbors forgot to appreciate what we’ve done for them. In our community life and our mission, we feel bad, rejected, or unappreciated if someone does not notice our efforts. But are we appreciative of the graces we received from Him?

“In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (1Thes 5:18).” This is what the word of the Lord is teaching us, to be like the leper who humbly returned to Him and gave heartfelt thanks for the unconditional love and graces given us, be it physical, emotional, mental or spiritual.

Let me quote this beautiful saying from Rabbi Harold Kushner, “If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” 

May we love our sisters and brothers unconditionally and be filled with gratitude to the Lord who is alive in us.

Queen of Carmel Community

Lucena City