The Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Thanksgiving Day: Year A
Luke 17: 11 to 19
Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?”
Like all responses from God, there is a participatory part we must do in God’s response. So, to answer our Lord’s question, the other nine are doing what was required of them, that is, they were headed to priests to show that they had been cleaned. But the one wanted to give thanks first.
Today is Thanksgiving Day. This is another strictly American holiday. But the need to give thanks to God is universal. All human beings should pause and give thanks to God for our existence even if our existence is unpleasant. Just being aware that there is a forever God who will eventually receive us in that glorious presence is in, and of itself, something to be thankful for.
Many of us spend a lot of time asking God for many things. We never stop asking for something. Like the lepers in our Gospel reading we too say, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” We should spend just as much time giving thanks for what God has done, and is doing. As we have seen in our reading, Jesus notices. “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?”
I am glad that America has set aside a time of reflection and Thanksgiving. It is a great and unified way to show God that as a nation we are thankful. However, each person, family and parish should establish the habit of giving thanks regularly. Such a habit will keep our national habit of Thanksgiving thriving; lest we forget in whom we put our trust.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, Israel and our schools.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 