As he continued his journey to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met (him). They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you."

 Introductory Prayer: Lord, I know only you give me the gift of faith. I also know I don't always show my gratitude for that gift as I should . Lord, with your grace I will grow in my awareness of your goodness in my life and grow in my gratitude and love for you.

Petition: Lord, help me to recognize all the wonderful ways you touch my life. Help me to be thankful and show my gratitude for your great gifts.

1. Ask and You Shall Receive. One of God's purposes in allowing situations that seem beyond human solutions is to make us realize we need him, and turn to him. The lepers in today's Gospel had no place to turn; there was no doctor, no medicine that could make them better. They could only cry out to Christ. Jesus, Master! Have pity on us! Their plaintive cry reminds us that there is no problem or situation too big or too impossible to bring to Christ. Our belief in his power can work miracles. And God is not a grudging giver, he wants us to ask because he wants to give us but without forcing us. It has to be our step of love and trust.

2. Forgetful Souls. When we think of the nine lepers who did not return to give thanks, we are probably as amazed as Jesus. The ir greatest dream, something greater than their greatest dream has taken place, a tremendous miracle, so how could they be so forgetful? Perhaps we should ask that question of ourselves. In Confession we are cured from sin, our souls rather than our bodies are washed clean, healed of their spiritual leprosy. W hen we are present at Mass, the words of consecration bring about a miracle infinitely greater than curing a skin disease. Receiv ing the very Body and Blood of Christ brings the creator of the universe directly into our lives.  As we look at those nine lepers, we ought to see the reflection of ourselves, of our ingratitude. So much received and so much taken fro granted, as if God had to be so good to us. The blessings we receive are beyond our comprehension. But a dull and forgetful heart seems to be our characteristic. 

3. Grateful Souls. The cured Samaritan leper threw himself at Jesus' feet in a spirit of total thanksgiving. He is the example of the grateful soul, who knows that however great his faith is, it is Christ who works the miracle. The grateful soul takes nothing for granted. George Weigel writes in Witness to Hope: Piotr and Teresa Malecki, longtime members of Karol Wojtyla's srodowisko were staying in the papal villa at Castel Gandolfo in the late summer of 1997 as the Pope's guests. Their bedroom was just below his, and before dawn each morning they knew by the thumping of his cane that he was up and about. One morning, at breakfast, the Pope asked if the noise was disturbing them. No, they answered, they were getting up for Mass anyway. But, Wujek, they asked, why do you get up at that hour of the morning? Because, said Karol Wotjyla, the 264th Bishop of Rome, I like to watch the sun rise.

Our life is made up not only good things but also of our share of crosses. A great leap in our faith and our hope takes place when we learn even to thank God for these. They enable us to participate actively in God's work of salvation. Through them and uniting them to Christ's infinite sacrifice we can benefit souls, be instruments of healings for others. What a beautiful way to show God our gratitude for all he did for us on the Cross, becoming instruments of grace for others through our own crosses and being thankful for the opportunity!

The grateful heart doesn't grow old; it is always being renewed through the contemplation of God's generous, creative love. Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise!

Conversation: Lord Jesus, you fill my life with so many good things. Even suffering is a source of goodness in your plan. I thank you with all my heart for creating me, redeeming me, and giving me your love and friendship and a part in your work of salvation . I marvel at your work. Keep my soul fresh and alive with the spirit of gratitude for all your tremendous gifts.

Questionnaire:

1. What obstacles(s) in my life have I failed to bring to Christ? What stopped me from first taking that problem to Our Lord?

2. What in my life do I take for granted? Family, friends, health, money? How can I better show the full extent of my gratitude for God's gifts in my life?  

3. When was the last time I truly contemplated God's generous, creative love for me? How did I respond? Do I recognize his goodness in my crosses?