In today’s gospel, Jesus teaches us the importance of gratitude. While travelling to Jerusalem along the border between Samaria and Galilee, Jesus was met by 10 lepers and after they were cleansed, only one returned to give thanks. Jesus then asked: “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” It was really painful and regrettable that it was a foreigner who knew the importance of gratitude or thanksgiving. Gratitude is the language of God. Jesus understands this better and that is why he frowned at the other 9 lepers. Jesus himself lived a life of thanksgiving, gratitude and appreciation. During the miracles of the multiplication of loaves and fish, Jesus gave thanks to God his Father, as an acknowledgement that every good gift comes from God.  Pope Francis tells us that “Gratitude is at the core of the heart of every believer. Any Christian who does not know how to say ‘THANK YOU’ has lost the language of God.”  Gratitude or thanksgiving is the language of God.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to learn to be grateful for every gift, favour and blessing that I might have received from you or any person. Amen