Luke 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Sama’ria and Galilee.
And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, “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 cleansed.
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
Then said Jesus, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?
Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Homily:
The closer you are to someone, the thinner the line between entitlement and gratitude.
But we must amplify that line and stand on the side of gratitude.
Nothing is promised because of our time, space, magnitude or direction. All is given to us out of love. Even life itself.
Gratitude is not the reason God gives His gifts, His grace and His mercy. But gratitude indicates that we acknowledge Him and put Him first.
Think of your own life. There are many people you do things for, who come back to say sorry, and you tell them they do not need to thank you. Deep in your heart, you pay closer attention to such people, even though you have said gratitude was not required.
Those that actually offer no gratitude are living your words, but you instinctively revert to doing the bare minimum for them.
Be grateful. If for nothing, for His breath that is still in you.