Gratitude

Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean. But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner” (Luke 17:17-18).

 

            When I was a boy, my parents taught me to say “Thank you” whenever someone gave me something. At first, my words were a programmed response because I was told it was the polite thing to say. As I got older, I began to understand when people offered me something it usually represented a sacrifice on their part; either of an item or of their time. In a sense, they gave me a little piece of themselves. It helped me realize gratitude is not a trivial thing.

            In this passage from Luke, Jesus notes that while ten lepers were healed, only one came back to give praise to God. By doing so, he highlights the importance of gratitude in the life of a disciple.

            Within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament, individuals expressed gratitude to God for reasons such as an experience of Divine Mercy or rescue from a dangerous situation. The Jewish Law outlined the appropriate Temple Sacrifices for such situations. Jews also offered Prayers of Thanksgiving, both communal and private, for such reasons as: a cure from illness: Forgiveness of Sin; the defeat of one’s enemies; and God’s Creation and power. In addition, gratitude to God was expressed by non-Jews. Naaman, a General in the Assyrian Army, sought to be healed of his leprosy by Elisha. After he received it, Naaman communicated his thanks through the offering of a gift to the Prophet. Yet, Elisha, who realized the cure came from God, refused it. The Assyrian then expressed his gratitude by recognizing the one true God and brought dirt from Israel for the proper Worship of Yahweh in Assyria. When Christ healed the ten lepers, he used their reaction to the miracle as a lesson about gratitude. All the lepers demonstrated their Faith by their appeal to Jesus for mercy and obedience to his command about going to the Priest. Christ responded to this Faith with the Miracle. However, only the Samaritan understood the meaning of what really happened. The healing was more than just a Miracle: it was an act of Divine Love. Like Naaman the leper’s whole perspective on life changed. The Samaritan’s deeper faith led him to a stronger sense of gratitude which demanded some visible expression. The leper returned, praised God and thanked Jesus. Of the ten healed lepers, one achieved Salvation. Jesus confirmed this outcome by his final remark. For a Disciple, gratitude was an essential quality because it showed the depth of one’s Faith: how much one received and depended upon God for everything.

            Our society often exhibits a superficial attitude towards gratitude. Children are taught to say “Thank you” when they receive anything. At Thanksgiving, even Non-Religious people will give thanks for the Blessings they enjoy in our country. During Remembrance Day events, many individuals remember and express gratitude for those who gave their lives defending our nation. Yet, how deeply does this outlook penetrate into a person’s attitudes and behaviors? Are children taught why they should be grateful for all they receive or are their words merely a way to insure they get what they want in the future? At Thanksgiving, do people stop and think about who they are thanking for all they have? In our Secular Society, many individuals are uneasy incorporating Religious Beliefs into their conversation, so the holiday becomes about turkey and pumpkin pie or gathering with family and friends. On Remembrance Day, public figures recall the sacrifices made by past generations but are they prepared to make similar ones for the sake of the Common Good when doing so could alienate their political supporters? Catholics and other people of Faith know gratitude involves more than saying the right thing at certain times. It requires one develop an “attitude of gratitude” which transforms Values into actions. The process starts with humility: the recognition of how dependent humans are upon God for everything. They did not create the world but received it as a gift and are called to be good stewards of it. It also requires generosity: the realization their environment is the common home to every individual and its gifts are meant to be shared with others. All people are made in the image and likeness of God and are meant to benefit from God’s Providence. Finally, it calls for Justice: the perception that humans are social creatures and therefore how they treat each other and their environment must accord with God’s intention. They must be actively involved in insuring that Political, Economic and Social systems give each person what they are due in their interactions with others. Gratitude means more than simply saying “Thank you” but expressing that message through one’s actions.

            As I learned growing up, gratitude involves recognizing how everything I have is a gift. When I received something from others, they gave me some of their treasure or time and put my happiness ahead of their own. In time I realized how all gifts can be traced back to God; it made me understand the degree of my good fortune. As a Disciple of Jesus, I am now called to share it with others.

October 9, 2022