Today’s Scripture Readings

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.’

It is not uncommon to hear phrases like ‘people are so rude today’ or ‘we live in such a me centred word.’ I am not certain that we are in the midst of a major moral decline, or that rudeness is triumphing over civility. It seems that there was a bit of it happening when Jesus was around as well!

Ten men, living on the outskirts, because of a skin affliction, reach out to Jesus for healing. They have the faith, and their belief sees them healed. ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests’ Jesus tells them, and it seems that they all rush off to do so and nine of them are never heard of by Jesus again. But one of them, the much-maligned Samaritan returns to say thank you. Even Jesus seems a bit miffed by the ingratitude of the nine.

Gratitude is a mindset. A decision to keep one’s eyes open to see the goodness and the gifts that surround us every day. Gratitude is taking time to notice the big things and the little things. Gratitude is a practice of reflection, looking back and noticing things that may have not been an obvious gift at the time, but in retrospect, were pivotal. Gratitude changes us and changes the person we choose to thank. It feels nice to be noticed, to know that our effort was not in vain. We don’t act with the sole purpose of recognition, but gee, it feels nice when some comes.

How about we choose to open our eyes to notice what has been given to us? Focus on what is marvellous, and what is a gift. And let’s remember to thank the giver. Even Jesus liked that!