Memorial of Saint Josaphat, bishop and martyr
First Reading: Titus 3:1-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23
Gospel: Luke 17: 11-19
I absolutely love the story in today's gospel. I have always admired the gratefulness of the leper who returns to give thanks to Christ. So many times we ask God for help, but when our prayers are answered, do we stop and give the credit to our creator? How often do we just go about what we are doing without stopping to give thanks to our God who loves us and has great mercy on us. The leper in today's story had what I like to call an "attitude of gratitude." He had his priorities right in stopping what he was doing and giving thanks to God. He shows us how we need to recognize the hand of God in our lives and be thankful for that work.
Think today about the moment when you decided to live your life for God. When did you decide that you wanted to say "yes" to Him always? Saint Paul talks about how we once lived foolish and disobedient lives. But when Christ appeared and called each of us, it was not from our great personality or charm, but it was from God's mercy. Because of His great mercy, we are given life. The Lord does not wish for us to live in sin and live lives that will only lead us to an eternal life of pain and suffering, He wishes for us to have eternal life and to join Him in Heaven where we can be in the presence of the glory of God. For this reason alone, we should be eternally grateful to God.
Do you thank God every day for the blessings that He bestows upon you? Let us all reflect today upon how we can have an "attitude of gratitude" daily towards our Lord.
Father above, we thank you for the gift of our lives. We praise you for all that we have and all that we are. Lord increase our faith so that we might be more grateful and see all blessings that you put into our lives daily. Lord, thank you for for our lives, let us always give you the glory for all that we do. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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