Gospel for October 12 2025 – Luke 17:11-19
Gospel Reflections for October 12 2025
A better way of saying thank you…
Jesus had a different way of saying Thank you than we do today.
You might find it can offer a new view of your life as well, perhaps especially now with so much dramatic political news around the world and in our own country.
The ancient word for thanks was towdah. It’s just one word, just as our English word thanks is one word.
However, in ancient times it was not enough to simply say that one word, towdah. Instead, you would say out loud all the things a person did for you for which you are grateful. You might say, Thanks …for helping me plow my field …or for lending me some food, etc.
Since praise was always given in public, that also enhanced your friend’s reputation as a generous person, a nice thing to do out of gratitude!
However, it can also help you in a profound way as well. By listing all the good things that have come your way, it can help put your own life in a more accurate perspective.
Every life is actually a mix of both good and bad things that happen each day, e.g., you got to work on time, but then lost a big sale. Unfortunately, we often only remember the bad events …and forget the good. Saying the good events out loud gives you a more accurate and balanced view of your life.
This ancient way of saying Thank you is the same as our modern practice of Counting your blessings. You acknowledge the good things that have come your way and not just the bad.
That can also remind you of any bad things that …are not happening, e.g., your car is not broken, or you are not sick. Knowing both the good and the bad is the beginning of wisdom.
One person in today’s Gospel returns to Jesus to give thanks. I am sure he realized all the things that he can now do because of his new health. He counted his blessings out loud to Our Lord and to the nearby crowd. He received an even deeper healing than just physical health.
There is an ancient practice of saying a thanksgiving prayer to God first thing in the morning.
Beginning tomorrow, how about listing in detail all that is going well and also any bad things that are not happening. It can make for a much happier day!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Hi Fr Dave: You always offer a wonderful perspective on the gospel readings. Many thanks for your ministry. God bless, Argyle
“THANKS FATHER”
That’s a great reminder Father, and if I take the time every morning to count all of my blessings, they far outweigh all of the crazy stuff going on in today’s world .and puts everything in perspective.
“Thanks”
It works!!!
Thanks … for your spiritual guidance over the past 25 years … and thanks for leading us on our two trips to Jerusalem.
The idea of giving thanks every morning is a great way to start the day.and puts me in the right mood for the problems faced in life. A smile results and everything goes better. Thanks for the idea! God Bless!
Beautiful, precious way to live a beautiful life by giving our precious God thanks for all His blessings!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it and loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you!! Dick and I are thanking our precious Father in Heaven for the gift of precious you in our livessssssssssssssssssssssss!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you, Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, franca and Duck!!
Dear Father Dave,
What can be said after Franca’s beautiful message? Oh my….
Gratitude might well be at the root of goodness!
God bless….
Kathleen
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