Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
(Titus 3:1-7; Luke 17:11-19)
Today’s gospel illustrates what we know from experience but
sometimes have difficulty accepting. As
Jesus says in Matthew’s gospel, the sun rises on both the bad and the
good. So Jesus cleans all ten lepers. We may not want to call the nine lepers who
do not return to Jesus “bad.” But the
tenth leper who returns to give thanks has certainly acted well.
Jesus told all ten who were cleansed to show themselves to
the priests. This measure allowed them
to return to their own people. It is
akin to our having our car inspected so that we might drive. No doubt, the ten made haste to carry out the
order. But one took the time to thank Jesus,
God’s agent, before proceeding with the inspection. This man received a further, more spectacular
reward albeit an intangible one in faith.
Jesus pronounces that he is saved.
We should never cease giving thanks to God for all the
blessings we have received. Family, education,
work – indeed life itself – come from Him.
This is one reason that the Eucharist – which is primarily an act of
thanksgiving – is central to our religion.
It renews our thanksgiving from week to week or, for us, day to day.
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