“Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” (Luke 17:17-18)

The major theme for this 28th Sunday in ordinary time focus on the expression of gratitude that God desires and expects from us for the many blessings we have received from Him. God indeed feels the sadness and anger at our ingratitude for taking things for granted, ungrateful for all He has done for us.

Gratitude comes from the Latin word “gratus,” which means "pleasing," "thankful" or “gratefulness.” It is an appreciation by a recipient of another's kindness, gifts, help, favors or other form of generosity to the giver of such gifts. Gratitude is an essential part of our Christian worship and of every aspect of our life because every good thing comes from God, the source of all blessings.

The Bible is filled with the idea of gratitude. For example: Psalm 30:13 "O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever," and Psalm 9:2 "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart." Therefore, gratitude is the basic Christian attitude and the heart of the Gospel. St. Paul says: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Gratitude is a virtue that shapes not only our emotions and thoughts, but also our actions and deeds. It is one of the most accurate ways of finding the presence of God in a person’s life. It is so necessary in our Christian discipleship and spirituality that the highest expression of our Christian liturgy or worship be called the “Eucharist” (Greek εὐχαριστία “eucharistia”), which means “thanksgiving” or “giving thanks.” Therefore, we should recognize God’s graceful gifts in all areas of our lives and always demonstrate or express our most sincere gratitude to God.

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to express our gratitude to our God and to exercise our Christian stewardship, to use our time, treasure and talents to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves participating in the works of mercy, to accomplish God’s will in our lives to glorify God.  

How can we help each other express our most sincere gratitude to our loving, compassionate and merciful God by the celebration of the “Holy Eucharist,” “giving thanks” to God ?

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.