This week’s Gospel reading is a lesson about faith and the power of gratitude.  As Jesus continues His journey to Jerusalem, ten people afflicted with leprosy cry out to him.  Struck with pity, He heals all ten. However, only one — a Samaritan, who is a foreigner— is described as glorifying God and returning to thank Jesus.

Jesus commends the Samaritan, “’Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.’”  All ten of the lepers were healed, but in his gratitude to God for this gift, the Samaritan found something even more important:  eternal salvation.

It’s through gratitude for the gifts that we receive that we obtain the greatest blessing of all—life everlasting in a heavenly paradise. It’s a part of the human condition to be focused on the things that aren’t working out and to forget to give thanks for all that we have.  We’ve all prayed to ask for help or healing in difficult times, but when we are experiencing health and happiness, do we take the time to thank God for these most precious gifts?

As this is being written, Haiti is in the midst of disaster in the wake of Hurricane Matthew’s destruction. Over 800 people have lost their lives, a number that continues to rise. Entire towns have been destroyed and villages are under several feet of water.  The most vulnerable are the hardest hit and the hardest to reach. They have watched what few possessions they had washed away by the storm.

For every mother and father whose life is taken, there are children left behind.

For every shelter destroyed, there is a family without a home. 

For every crop damaged, there are mouths left unfed.

Thanks to compassionate people like you, we are responding to this emergency on the ground. This video captures some of our staff and volunteers preparing much needed food, water, and medicine to deliver to those affected by this tragedy.

 

Let us continue to hear their voices and respond to their calls for help, just as Jesus responded to the cries of the lepers.

You can make a difference.

*Today’s reflection is inspired by and adapted from the Loyola Press Sunday Connection