"Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?"
Then he said to him, "Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you." (Luke 17: 18-19)
As I read Jesus’
words, I immediately recall the many times that I refuse to
offer thanks for the simple and not-so-simple gifts in life.
During this season
of thanks, I need to be more aware of God’s many graces in my day-to-day
living. Although I make it a point to thank God regularly in my daily
prayers, I need to be like this Samaritan leper and truly express heartfelt
thanks, the type of thanks that puts me prostrate to Jesus Christ. I need
to express the type of thanks that not only sits steadfast in my heart and
fills my spirit but the kind that makes me want to serve God with warmth and
love. How do I embody and express this thanks? I can start with
true, heartfelt contrition for my shortfalls. I can start by living the
Gospel in my life more. I can start with choosing to kiss my wife more
when she indirectly tells me she hurts, instead of saying or thinking something
more jaded and self-serving. I can start by spending more time on the
floor with my children, watching them smile and wonder at the discoveries I
take for granted. I can start by saying hello to the passerby, letting
them know they matter, instead of isolating myself into “my space.” I can
truly love all of God’s creation, especially the creative graces God has placed
in front of my sometimes-blinded eyes.
A prayer:
Jesus, always bring
me closer to you, even when I stubbornly refuse.
Help me, Jesus, to be truly, heartily thankful for all the generous gifts the Father gives and for the forgiveness of my sins through Your sacrifice.
Please, dear Jesus, give me the eyes to see and the ears to hear Your loving guidance to God the Father’s will.
Help me, Jesus, to be truly, heartily thankful for all the generous gifts the Father gives and for the forgiveness of my sins through Your sacrifice.
Please, dear Jesus, give me the eyes to see and the ears to hear Your loving guidance to God the Father’s will.
Amen.
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