Thanksgiving Day
(Sirach 50:22-24; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Luke 17:11-19)
A number of years ago a worker in a Central American
country fulfilled his promise to the Virgin Mary. He had asked her intercession for the success
of his country’s soccer team in the World Cup playoffs. The team had done well for a small country
winning games against two European competitors.
Making a pilgrimage on foot to the national shrine of the Virgin was this
man’s way of saying “thanks.” We are
given a holiday today to do the same.
And that is another reason to be thankful. Employers, spurred by government mandate, are
paying us without our having to do any work.
As if it were a Sunday, we have a large swath of time to give
thanks. We pray, rest, and enjoy the
company of friends all in the spirit of thankfulness. Every day holds many reasons to thank God. The wise person does not retire without doing
so.
The gospel indicates that God takes notice of our giving
thanks and our not doing it. It tells us
that Jesus asks the one leper who thanked him why the other nine he cured
didn’t. More significantly, the passage
emphasizes that Jesus rewards the one who does with salvation. We can say that our recognition of God as our
benefactor is crucial. It will save us
from the punishment due for our sins.
