Gospel Reflections for October 13 2019
An attitude of gratitude
You see ten very sick people in today’s Gospel who longed for a cure. They knew exactly what they did not have, and they did not have good health. Everything changes for the better when Jesus arrives. They are all instantly cured.
Nine leave the scene rejoicing in their new found health, but only one returns to thank Our Lord for his cure. Jesus praises him for his gratitude but also asks “Where are the other nine?” Why were they not grateful? They knew their sickness well but did not appreciate the cure they received!
It is normal to focus a lot on problems, like bad health. Your brain is actually wired to recognize things that go wrong. That is a good thing since it helps you focus on what needs to change.
Our Lord simply wants you to recognize what is going well in your life too. Gratitude is the virtue that helps you do that. Gratitude focuses on the good things that you truly have in your life. Gratitude is simply knowing how to “count your blessings.”
You may be facing a serious illness, but you should also recognize that you live in the United States where you enjoy the highest level of medical treatment in the entire history of mankind! Hospitals have X-RAY, MRI, CAT-SCAN, and PET-SCAN devices that do not even touch you, and yet can accurately diagnose your condition. Be grateful for that.
You may remember the 2008 economic crisis. Now our country enjoys the best economic growth and other business indicators in decades. Be grateful for that.
You may remember the 1991 Kuwait War and the 2003 Iraq War. Today, our country is not at war at all. Be grateful for that.
You may feel there is a lot of political antagonism on the national scene today, but there are constitutional procedures to handle all those issues, as confusing as they might be. Be grateful for those as well.
It is just not an accurate view of your life to only focus on what is going wrong. You must also recognize what is going well too. That is living a more truthful life, and it is “the truth that sets you free.” (John 8:34)
One person in today’s Gospel recognized what was going well in his life and Jesus presents his example for us to follow. Be grateful for that practical and useful wisdom today!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Fr. Dave,
As usual, you always bring your examples to life with real world situations which are spot on. Thanks for your weekly gospel updates…they are inspiring!
Regards,
Roman
You are very welcome!
I am thankful for your Gospel Reflections.
Thank you!.
You are welcome!
Dear Father,
I am very grateful to God for sending you to teach us. We are blessed to have a wonderful priest like you. I am grateful to you. As a frequent guest to your church, I have learned so much from you in church and through this media more than anywhere on this planet. Your gentleness and your loving eyes and smiles said it all. But must of all, your words are the Word that are spoken directly from God with simplicity and most profound. I understand that Everything is Impermanence. And I am grateful for the precious time and the wonderful people that He gives us. You are always in my prayers.
Thank you Father.
I am deeply humbled by your very gracious and generous comments. Thank you!
Thanks for the reminder
Always good to review every now and then!
Dear Father Dave, Love this precious Gospel of healing love!!! It is sooooooooooooooooooo beautiful to respond in love to the gifts our God has given to us and to respond in love to all who have helped us and touched us with HIS love!!! Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo thank you Father Dave for giving us the gift of Jesus and the gift of HIS LOVE!!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Guess who!!! Someone who loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees our loving God, our precious Jesus, our beautiful Blessed Mother, our blessed life, our precious family and all our relativres,all the beautiful friends in our life and all you loving priests who give us the gift of Jesus!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee living in Jesus!!!
Thank you!
Fr. Dave,
Indubitably, Gratitude is a key to authentic happiness and goodness, and a major “Way” to everlasting life with our Lord.!
So how do we ingrain this in our children, and moreover the Public Square as Fr. John Richard Neuhaus often referred, which have become so secularized and polarized? The concept of delayed gratification is virtually nonexistent in today’s “must have now” culture lead by social media.
Our children are being taught very little Wisdom and Gratitude which as you know permeates through out the Holy Bible – Save God our Children and our great country, The United States of America.
With deep esteem,
Well said! Yes, we need more people to practice an attitude of gratitude. It can only begin with our own example.
A spirit of gratitude is a beautiful thing!
It brings out something good in people.
We love the Lord, but sometimes we are like the lepers and forget
to thank Him for all His blessings.
I am glad we have this Gospel to remind us about gratitude.
We are at sea and are unable to attend Mass. Your message is our consolation. God bless,
.
I am glad my message made it to the high seas! Enjoy your trip.