Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/112416-thanksgiving.cfm
On this Thanksgiving Day, the question we all must and should be asking ourselves is, “What are we truly thankful for?" In this day and age of instant gratification and fast pace life thanks to computers and smart phones, are we truly thankful for the many blessing that God has given us?
Most people
today gather to eat turkey, watch football in the afternoon, and
maybe argue about the results of the recent elections. Further, many
of us are planning on rushing through the Thanksgiving dinner with
family and loved ones in order to rush to the nearest stores for an
early start for the Black Friday sales. We tend to forget the things
that we should be grateful for.
In today’s
gospel we hear of 10 lepers begging Jesus to cure them. Jesus sends
them off with the instructions to see the priests. While on their
way, they are healed! Only one returns to Jesus in gratitude. What
about the other 9? Are they off to party and celebrate their healing?
The one that returned to Jesus realized that it was through Jesus
that he was healed, and returned glorifying God. He realized that
Jesus was present in the healing that he received and came back to
give thanks.
There are times
in our lives when we may be facing problems, sickness, family issues,
and we turn to Jesus to ask for help. We, like the lepers, turn to
Jesus to seek help. When we receive a response from Jesus, are we
truly thankful for His help?
There are other
things to be grateful to God for in our lives, besides being helped
through whatever problems or issues we may have had. Many of us have
good health, spouses who love us and are with us in good times and
bad times. We also may have children that are gifts from God that we
should be thankful for. There are times when children can be
difficult to deal with as they grow and mature, but as they mature
with your help, know that God will bless you for being there for
them. We also have extended family and friends that are there for us
in our ups and downs that we should be grateful for.
In addition to
all the blessing that we are grateful for here on earth, let us, as
Catholics, be grateful for the great gift of the presence of Jesus in
the Holy Eucharist. In this sacrament we are able to receive Jesus
fully: Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Let us not take the Eucharist
lightly. Remember as you approach the Blessed Sacrament that it is
Jesus you are receiving. And if you feel you are not fully prepared to
receive Jesus in Holy Communion for whatever reason, know that you
can approach Jesus in the healing sacrament of Confession. Jesus is
always present for us in confession with His healing power to forgive
our sins, and He is present to us in the great Sacrament of the
Eucharist.
Let us, on this
Thanksgiving Day, to be grateful to Jesus for our family, friends,
the blessings we have received, and for His presence in the
sacraments of the Catholic Church.
Praise be Jesus
Christ, now and forever.
I often wonder if the 9 lepers who were Jewish would have come back to thank JESUS after they had obeyed what He told them to do, which was to do what the Law instructed--to show themselves to the priests. The 1 leper who came back was a Samaritan who would not have been as attached to the Jewish law, since the Samaritans were products of intermarriage between Jews & Assyrians.
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