By Amala William csc –
Readings: Wis 6:1-11; Lk 17:11-19
The gospel speaks about the reality of today. When we are in need of something, we go on a pilgrimage and undertake pious practices to please God. Once our wishes are fulfilled, then we never bother about it. Though ten lepers approached Jesus from a distance, post their miraculous healing, only one returned to Jesus. Interestingly, the evangelist mentions him as a Samaritan. Regardless of caste, class, color, or race, the diseases of the world unite the people together. After recognizing the healing from leprosy, the Samaritan went back to Jesus and thanked him as a noble gesture.
The grateful attitude of the Samaritan reminds me of his struggles, the shame of being called ‘unclean’ and being ostracized by his people. He must have longed for this healing to take place, and so immediately, he must have rushed back to Jesus. When we start giving thanks to every little thing that we have received from God; there is no place for grumbling or criticizing. Sometimes, we take things for granted.
In family or religious circles, we tend to see things as routine, instead of noticing them as new every day. We need to begin to have a sense of wonder and be grateful for each and everything. The pandemic lockdowns and the restrictions have made us feel grateful for several things that we had earlier least bothered about. So let us take a resolution that before the end of each day, we would examine ourselves and thank God for that activities of the day, irrespective of whether they look good or bad.