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.

luke 17:15-16

Luke 17:11-19

Reflection

In today’s Gospel, Jesus cleanses ten lepers who cry out to him. Once healed, only one returns to thank Jesus. The cleansed man was a Samaritan, and Jesus tells him his faith saved him.

How often are we ‘cleansed’ and healed by Jesus – from a particular ailment, emotion, unhealthy attachment, or situation? Do we remember to give thanks to God? At times, we can take for granted God’s goodness and mercy towards us, only acknowledging or remembering it when another person – perhaps someone we perceive to be less holy or of a different faith/religion – thanks Jesus for healing them.

Jesus wants us to turn to him and ask for help. He deeply desires to heal us. When we do receive that healing (and even when we don’t), we must always thank God and praise him; it is only right to do so, for he is our Savior and Creator.

If you have trouble thanking Jesus for the good things he has done for you or simply forget to thank him, ask him today for the grace and the strength to do so. Jesus wants to heal you – let’s properly accept it.

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Saint of the Day

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini: 1850 – 1917

“Prayer is powerful! It fills the earth with mercy, it makes the Divine clemency pass from generation to generation; right along the course of the centuries wonderful works have been achieved through prayer.” St. Frances Xavier Cabrini