The Gospel of Lk 17:11-19, of the 28th Sunday of the year, Cycle C, is all about 10 lepers and Jesus who took pity on them and healed them. As they went on their way to show themselves to the priest at the instructions of Jesus, they found that they were healed. However, just one of them, a Samaritan, returned to Jesus and gave God thanks. What happened to the other 9? Were they not also cured? Where are they? Why didn’t they return to Jesus and give God thanks and praise for healing them? We won’t actually know the true reason for their indifference and neglect in showing gratitude to God. Maybe they had their own reasons for staying away.
Isn’t life like that sometimes? People go out of their way to do good to others and to be kind, but their goodness and kindness are overlooked, and there is no gratitude and thanks extended for their generosity.
Sometimes we tend to take things and people for granted. Some people take advantage of other people’s kindness. They are quick to grab, but they never return the favour. They live like parasites, feeding off the goodness and kindness of others.
It costs us nothing to say “Thank you”. When we do, we are acknowledging the worth of the next person and we grow in appreciation for their kindness.
To be ungrateful is to be proud and insensitive. We don’t care about people’s feelings. We become proud and selfish and get an inflated ego. Goodness and kindness is nowhere to be found. Charity has been blotted out because of ingratitude. Kindness and gratitude goes hand in hand. One cannot survive without the other. They are friends who depend on each other for a life of happiness.
Giving thanks to someone for their kindness to you, is a simple gesture of gratitude, be it in the form of a little “Thank you note” , or a telephone conversation, or a face to face warm chat, can make all the difference.
Next time you are shown kindness, extend your hand of gratitude. Be kind and tender-hearted to people and your blessings will increase.
Sr Columbia Fernandez O.P
10th October 2022