GRATITUDE: A GREAT ATTITUDE
The Gospel narrates that when the 10 lepers saw Jesus, they made a bold request. They asked for His mercy. Their request for mercy was both a humble plea for pardon from their sins and release from their sufferings. Jesus saw their faith and contrition. He gave them His mercy. He healed them from their afflictions.
Among the 10 lepers who were healed, only one, the Samaritan, returned to show his gratitude. The Samaritan recognized the mercy bestowed upon him by Jesus. The other nine lepers were ungrateful. They forgot to appreciate the kindness that they received from Jesus. Their ingratitude has erased the memory of goodness.
The Gospel passage is therefore challenging us to be grateful always. We should live the spirit of gratitude. Notice that the word “GRATITUDE” contains two words: “GREAT’ and “ATTITUDE”. A person who is grateful has a great attitude.
Gratitude comes from humility. A person who is ungrateful thinks that he is the source of everything. He does not need anybody’s help. But a humble person always acknowledges that all blessings come from God. Gratitude leads to the truth. Gratitude is simply an acknowledgement of the most basic truth that “everything comes from God and He is the source of all things. Gratitude is the perfect antidote to sin which is practically rooted in selfishness. Gratitude moves our gaze away from ourselves and direct us towards God and others, making us more open and generous to others. A grateful heart is generous because it trusts in God’s providence and when God’s providence is shared, there is salvation. Genuine thanks always lead to giving, which in turn is the key to salvation.
My friend posted this in his facebook account: “Did you know that GRATITUDE…shields us from negativity; makes us at least 25 % happier; rewires our brain; eliminates stress; heals sickness; boosts self-esteem; enhances the law of attraction and improves relationship….”
It is always easy to say, “thanks be to God”. Saying thank you is more than just a casual expression The Lord wants something more… THANKS-GIVING is good, but THANKS-LIVING is even better. We must commit ourselves to live the spirit of gratitude. And this spirit leads us to trust God more, to be humble, truthful and generous.
The Holy Mass is called EUCHARIST, which means THANKSGIVING. Every time we come to Mass, let us be reminded of the challenge to live this spirit of gratitude always. People with grateful hearts are the happiest people. Gratitude attracts more blessing and graces from the Lord. It also turns what we have into enough. Oprah Winfrey said:” Be thankful for what you have, you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
Let us always count our blessings from the Lord with gratefulness and we give thanks to Him in all circumstances. We don’t need more to be thankful for, we just need to be more thankful. Amen.
Fr. Jong Atinaja
