Wednesday of the 32nd week in ordinary time
Titus 3: 1-7 Luke 17: 11-19
Theme: Be grateful
In the gospel reading of today from St. Luke, we are presented with the popular story of Jesus healing the ten lepers and only one returned to say thank you, and his healing was wholistic. Jesus said to him, ‘go your faith has made you well’. Interestingly, things have not changed much in our own time. Sometimes you hear people saying, people can be ungrateful. This presents us an opportunity to reflect on the word gratitude. Ask yourself, are you a grateful person, or you are like the nine lepers that were healed by Jesus in today’s gospel and never returned to say thank you? Sometimes you hear people say, what he did for me, can be done by anybody, yet nobody did it. We must learn to appreciate any good act that we receive from others, no matter how small we may think it is. You don’t loose anything from showing appreciation for what you received from someone else, it rather attracts more blessings to us, just like in the gospel reading of today.
However, for your own peace of mind, it is better not to expect gratitude or appreciation from those you may have helped, lest you end up disappointed. It is always better to be good to people because it is good, and not because you intend to get appreciation from the person you helped. One thing that I am certain about is the fact that you will get the appreciation you deserve from God almighty and that is the one that matters most. This understanding will go a long way towards reducing our expectations when we help other people. At the end of the day, if the person is grateful, nice, if he is not also grateful for what you have done, you will not be worried in any way. Simply put, the less your expectations the better for you.
Dearly beloved in Christ, we are all encouraged today as children of God, to emulate the Samaritan who came back to Jesus to say thank you, when he realised that he was healed. Let this be a new beginning for you today, if you find it difficult to show appreciation for the good that you receive from other people. It is never too late for one to retrace his or her steps and embrace the path that leads to eternal life. As you make honest effort to live a life of gratitude, may almighty God bless you in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, Amen. Peace be with you.