28th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C)
Scriptures: 2 Kgs 5:14-17; Ps. 97:1-4; 2 Tim. 2:8-13; Lk. 17:11-19
I came across a book, A simple act of Gratitude, written by John Kralik. He lived in a tiny apartment in Los Angeles (USA) which did not have proper facilities. He was an attorney and had a private law firm which ran into a loss. He could not even pay his employees. His second divorce left him with bitterness. His own children were drifting away from him. He became obese. He had become miserable. While walking desperately on New Year’s day on the hills in Los Angeles, he realized that he should focus on what he has, instead of what he does not have. Hence, he decided to send simple hand written thank you notes. He made a resolution to write 365 ‘thank you’ notes in the coming year. He thanked his loved ones, co-workers, business colleagues, friends, relatives, neighbours and everyone who had done something good to him.
After a while, he experienced a change in his life. He was filled with inner peace. People started approaching him. His sour relationships turned into meaningful friendships. This exercise taught him to appreciate good things. It created positivity in him. Today, John Kralik is a successful Judge. The virtue of gratitude shapes his life. A study shows us that the virtue of gratitude benefits us in many ways. It shields us from negativity. It makes us happier. It reduces stress and heals inner wounds, it improves health conditions and self-esteem, it also helps to improve the level of performance and it builds relationships. In other words, gratitude unlocks the great hidden treasures in our lives.
If the virtue of gratitude can make such a difference in our lives, then how much more the change can be experienced when it is clubbed with faith in God. Both virtues have power to transform our lives. They can bring peace in our lives. They can bring joy in our lives. We need to realize, the gratitude and faith play a vital role in our spiritual lives.
Today’s liturgy amplifies this beautiful message. The first reading narrates a story of Naaman, the commander of the King of Aram (Syria). He is remembered till this date for his gratefulness more than his healing. He was a great man. He was a man of valor. But he suffered from leprosy. At the counsel of an Israeli servant girl, he came to Israel for healing. Prophet Elisha healed him by sending him to take seven deeps in the river Jordan. After having received healing; Naaman offered his gifts to Elisha but the prophet refused to receive them. At last, Naaman took permission from the prophet to take two mule-loads of soil with him to his country so that he may build an altar to the God of Israel. Naaman showed two characteristics. Firstly, he believed in the God of Israel as a savior. Secondly, he desired to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to God. He wanted to remain in the state of gratitude to God while trusting in him alone.
St. Paul in the second reading invites Timothy and us to give thanks in all circumstances. St. Paul was imprisoned in Rome when he wrote the second letter to Timothy. Paul’s movements were restricted in the prison. In such a dire situation, Paul was grateful to God because he was able to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was determined to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. As a matter of fact, one of bloggiest says that St. Paul should be considered the apostle of thanksgiving. He is the only New Testament writer who consistently invites us to give thanks to God. There are more than 46 references to thanksgiving in his writings. I always found the most challenging quote of St. Paul in all of his writings. He says, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thes. 5:18). It is very difficult to thank and praise God ‘in everything’. St. Paul gave thanks to God in everything. He shows us the two characteristics. He had firm faith in the risen Lord and he always remained in gratitude to God.
The Gospel narrates to us a beautiful episode which is unique to the Gospel of Luke. It is a story about the healing of ten lepers but only one came to thank him. Jesus’ healing gave them everything. It could be seen in two ways. They were reinstated in their families and they returned to worship God in the temple. Jesus asked the ten lepers to go to the priests who were assigned to confirm the healing from the leprosy in accordance with the mosaic laws. That person had to make an offering of cleansing.
It is interesting to see how Jesus challenged their faith. He asked them to show the priests even before they were healed. He demanded from them a radical faith in him. All of them showed great faith in Jesus. They started their journey with faith. They received healing on their way. But only one returned to Jesus with praise. He was a Samaritan. The other nine continued their journey. They were more concerned about the ritual cleansing, the externals. Whereas, the Samaritan was more concerned about praising Jesus. While inquiring about the other nine, Jesus sets the service of praise above the rituals. Jesus gives him extra healing i.e. he healed his heart too. The other nine lepers received only physical healing. The Samaritan had faith in Jesus but he complimented it with his praises.
We are called to show this radical faith in God and praise God for his numerous blessings. Let us look at Naaman, the Syrian, Timothy, the companion of St. Paul and the Samaritan Leper. They were gentiles yet they believed in true God/Jesus. After having received blessings and healings, they showed gratitude to God/Jesus for his love and mercy. We also heard about the life of John Kralik whose life was full of misery but the virtue of gratitude changed his life. Let us pray that we may grow in the virtues of Faith and Gratitude for they are the two solid pillars of our spiritual life.