Twenty-eighth Sunday of the Year: C: October 12, 2025

     THE GREAT VIRTUE OF GRATITUDE

Introduction: Gratitude is the theme of today's liturgy.  In the first reading from the second book of Kings, we meet the Syrian commander Naaman, who comes to prophet Elisha to be healed of his leprosy. After being healed, he comes back with gifts to thank prophet Elisha and the Lord God. In the Gospel, Jesus cures ten lepers. But only one of the ten returns to thank and praise Him, and this man was a Samaritan. Jesus commends the faith of the one who came back to thank. The Interpreter's Bible remarks that gratitude is an instinctive human response. Humans give thanks for the same reason that birds sing. Children are taught to say 'Thank you'. Even nations dedicate special day/s for giving thanks. The Israelites instituted the feast of Pentecost to thank the Lord God for the blessings of a good harvest. Showing gratitude provides occasions not only to recognize our gifts from others, but also to appreciate and value these gifts in a deeper sense as signs of their love for us.

First Reading: 2Kings 5: 14 to 17

Second Reading: 2Timothy 2: 8 to 13

Gospel Reading: Luke 17: 11 to 19

   *First reading is from the second book of Kings. We have the story of Naaman the commander of the Syrian Army who was a leper. He comes to know from his servant girl that there is a great prophet in Israel who can heal him from his leprosy. He comes to prophet Elisha to be healed from his ailment. Elisha instructs Naaman to wash himself seven times in the river Jordan. After some hesitation and much persuasion from his servants, he washes himself in Jordan and he is healed from his leprosy by the mighty power of the Lord God of Israel. Naaman expresses his deep faith in the Lord God. He is full of gratitude to prophet Elisha and the Lord God. Through this miracle, the Lord God extends His healing touch to the people of other religious traditions. 

   *Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Timothy. Paul exhorts Timothy to carryon the mission entrusted to him for the sake of the Gospel and for Jesus Christ. Timothy is warned that preaching the Gospel will not be easy. It will bring much hardships, opposition and manifold persecutions.  

Gratitude of the Samaritan leper                                                     Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus healing ten lepers is narrated in detail. Ten lepers approach the Lord to be healed of their leprosy. Jesus heals all of them. After being healed by the Lord, only one man, a Samaritan returns to thank Jesus. Jesus is surprised by their response. So He enquires the one who came back: "Were not ten healed? Where are the other nine?" In fact, all the ten are healed. But except this Samaritan, none of the others  returns to thank Him. Their skin is healed but for the rest, it all remains the same. We do not know the reason why the other nine failed to show their gratitude to the Lord. This incident which happened during the public life of Jesus, should help us to look into our own lives and ask why we are often found wanting to thank the Lord for the many blessings we have received from Him. We should also reflect over our numerous failures to thank someone who did a favour to us in the past. Expressing gratitude and being thankful is a great virtue and should be practiced consciously. Whatever may be the reasons for our lack of gratitude, it diminishes us and those who help us. As someone said: "Ingratitude makes the bill for helping people hard to pick up." THANK YOU LORD, FOR ALL YOUR BOUNDLESS BLESSINGS. In this context G.K. Chesterton says: "When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude." M.T. Cicero says: "Gratitude is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all virtues." Dietrick Bonhoeffer says: "In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich."

Conclusion: A prayer of thanks: "Thank you Lord that I can see, so many are blind. Thank you Lord that I can hear, so many are deaf. Thank you Lord that I can walk, so many are crippled. Thank you Lord that I have food, so many are hungry. Thank you Lord that I have shelter, so many are homeless. Thank you Lord for the friendship, so many are lonely. Help me Lord always to be grateful." (Fr. F. MaCarthy)

May the Lord Jesus, who healed the ten lepers and brought new life to them, bless you and help you to be always grateful for all the blessings you receive from God and fellow humans. Amen.  

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, October 12, 2025." Thanks.)