Gratitude Pentecost 18

The story of the ten lepers is an obvious lesson in gratitude:  “and one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.”  That leper was “made well,” (from the Greek sesoken). The other nine were cleansed (ekatharisthesan). Gratitude is an indelible part of fully human integrated wholeness that is far deeper than merely being cured. Best understood, holiness is the person at home with herself, relaxed in a joyful wholeness that knits together all healed wounds into a connection with life, others and Great Creator Spirit. The mark of this holiness is gratitude.  Ronald Rolheiser writes: “Gratitude is the basis for all holiness.  The holiest person you know is also the most grateful person you know.”  (Sacred Fire 2014 (New York: Penguin).  Meister Eckhart said that if the only prayer you have ever prayed is ‘Thank You’, you have prayed enough.

 The Gospel according to Luke 17:11–19

11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”