As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him (Lk 17:14-15). Ten were healed from their leprosy and only one, a Samaritan, after realizing he was healed, returned to thank Jesus.
It is a good practice to spend some time each day to reflect on what we are thankful for. To see where God has entered our lives and provided assistance. At times when we feel a bit down and out, or in a bit of a funk, often the reason may be that we are focusing, on what we do not have instead of on what we do have. There is a quote, I am not sure of the source, that goes: “I cried because I had no shoes, and then I came upon a man with no feet.” We can be so bombarded by the mass appeal to the material, that we forget the truly important realities of this life that we have been given. What are you doing this Friday?
Times of family coming together can get a bit messy. There is all the cleaning, setting up and the prep for the big dinner, the travel, the unresolved issues of life, and there are the wonderful gifts of diverse personalities and points of view. If we can periodically stop, take a breath and be thankful for the fact that we have families and friends to be messy and grumble with, we might appreciate each other a bit more.
As Jesus reminds us, we do not know the time or the hour. Life is fragile in the best case scenarios, life is also finite. We will not be here forever. November is a time in the Church when we remember those who have joined the communion of saints. I know too many families that have lost family members unexpectedly. My thoughts and prayers are with you this Thanksgiving Day. May we be open to experience our loved ones again, who are home with God, and also remember them in their pictures and our stories shared. May we also feel the warm embracing arms of our loving God and Father reminding us that we are never alone and that he cares for our loved ones who have gone before us. Life is also a gift, let us be thankful for our life and for those who share it with us. May we also remember and pray for those who may be alone, struggling, or without food and home this day.
Photo: Thanksgiving toast with my maternal grandparents Helen and Bernard Morcus. They are toasting now, where we will one day be!
Link for today’s Mass readings:
Spiritual Stepping Stones 