“Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” We hear this Gospel each year on Thanksgiving day, of how Jesus notes the way that only one of the lepers gives thanks to God for having been healed. Gratitude and giving thanks are important to the Gospel message. Thus, our celebration of our national holiday of Thanksgiving gives is a wonderful opportunity to look at this facet of our faith.
In a society where giving thanks and being grateful are not common anymore, perhaps we struggle in various ways with gratitude. Could be ever be grateful enough in our lives of faith? Perhaps it is only in the recognition of God and his presence in our lives that will be able to feel and show this gratitude. If we are going through struggles and a crisis in our lives, it perhaps to easy to focus on that. In addition, in a society where revenge, vengeance, anger, and saving face seem to take precedence, perhaps giving thanks and being grateful are frowned upon or even seen as signs of weakness.
Yes, we all have our crosses to bear, but God calls us to look beyond our crosses, our burdens, and our struggles to see how his grace and mercy are still present in our lives. Unless we recognize his love and grace in our lives, how can we authentically give thanks?
As we celebrate Mass on Thanksgiving morning, let us give thanks for God’s blessings in our lives. Let us give thanks for his mercy and for the opportunities we have to embody God’s mercy for others. For sure, at times, we can all be like those nine lepers who did not return to give thanks. In our humility today, in our love of God, let us give thanks as individuals, as families, as a community of faith, and as a nation.
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