There are a number of words or gestures we would never get
tired of. Hearing “I love you,”
“thank you,” or “good job,” or receiving a hug, high five or smile never get
old. One of the most important
phrases in the world is indeed “thank you.”
Today in the Gospel, Jesus heals
ten lepers. We must remember that
a leper not only had physical pain—skin falling off the bone, loss of fingers
and toes and other disfigurement—but also were separated from their families
and friends. Jesus doesn’t just
heal these lepers physically but allows them to return home in their
communities of love.
Yet only one came back to give him
thanks, and it was a Samaritan.
The Samaritans were hated by the Jews because, centuries before, they
succumbed to pagan society and religion are rejected their Jewish
heritage. Yet Jesus recognizes
that it was the Samaritan—the hated one—who offered thanks to God for the
miraculous cure.
The word Eucharist comes from a
Greek word eucharistein which means thanks. We offer God thanks in the greatest way by coming to
Mass. And we pray for the strength
to say the small words and make the small gestures that we love to hear and
receive to show our love, appreciation and thanks for others.
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