Reflection – 11/22/18
Sacred Scripture
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean.
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan.
Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-19)
Reflection
How appropriate is today’s Gospel which focuses on gratitude!
Today we give thanks. We will sit with friends, with family and remind ourselves about those things which enrich our lives. In many cases, the Thanksgiving feast will begin with prayer. But today can also be an evolution in our relationship with God. The evolution comes from our ability to truly reflect on the Lord’s presence in our lives. We acknowledge His source behind the material things in our life. But we need to acknowledge that He is part of our daily journey through life. He is truly our companion every day. He gives us the opportunity, every day, to rise above our humanity and reflect Him. He gives us, the opportunity, every day to look beyond our mortality and earn a place at His table in eternity. Today is that day when we should stop and reflect on what that means to us.
In today’s Gospel, we read of only one who took the time to return to Christ and give thanks. I cannot help but ask myself “Am I the one? Or am I the nine? Do I spend enough time acknowledging in gratitude what is good in my life? Or do I press on to the next task, the next item to mark ‘complete’?”
But Jesus reminds in Matthew 6:34, “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” On this day set aside for giving thanks, no matter where we are or with whom we are celebrating, let us take a moment to acknowledge all God has given us and give thanks for all we have received.
Prayer of The Day
God of abundant generosity, source of all blessing, on this celebration of Thanksgiving, we call to mind the blessings of this year. We have much to be thankful for—loving relationships, good health, meaningful work and time to spend with family and friends. Bless all those who go without these gifts today, especially the poor, sick and lonely. May we share what we have been given with others, mindful that all that is good comes from You.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Daily Note
The gratitude that surrounds Thanksgiving Day is a time to reflect on the His love in the circumstances of our life. We know He is always present, and we know He is always loving. We know that He is always there as a special Friend who loves us for who we are and what we mean to Him. Can anyone ask for more?
