THE LESSON OF GRATITUDE

Reflection for the 28th Sundays in Ordinary Time Year C

(2Kg 5:14-17, 2Tim 2:8-13, Lk 17:11-19)

After receiving his healing, Naaman the Syrian, jubilantly returned to Elisha saying, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.” But to his greatest surprise, Elisha rejected the gifts. Being a foreigner who worshiped idols, he thought that the God of Israel operated in the same way of gifts in exchange for power like the pagan gods. Thus, by believing now that the God of Israel is great, he came to compensate Him with many gifts. But through Elisha, Naaman must learn in a deeper way the real gratitude God demands.

We find this lesson again displayed in the Gospel of today. Ten lepers approached Jesus, and shouted from a distance, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” They believed in the power of Jesus to heal, so they dipped themselves in Him with loud cry that came from the dept of their hearts. This was the kind of thing Naaman did when he dipped himself seven times into the Jordan. Jesus answered them, “Go and show yourselves to the priest.” On their way, they were cleansed. Now, Jesus becomes for all time the living Jordan where we enter and are cleansed.

Naaman returned to Elisha; among the ten lepers, only one returned to Jesus, and he was a pagan. But unlike Naaman, the man returned to Jesus empty handed. Yes, the ten recognized in Jesus the source of their healing and they were cleansed. However, only one came back to make friends with Jesus. This gesture reflects the silent lesson Elisha taught Naaman. God’s gifts are free and unmerited. What He demands is true worship, for He alone is God. Then Naaman said, “For henceforth your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the Lord.” His conversion of heart; the offering of himself to God, is the real gift God wants. This is the lesson for all time.

And that was why the return of the Samaritan pleased the Lord. By showing appreciation he sought the joy of the Lord; he offered back to Jesus the life he received. At this point of conversion and total surrender, the man received another level of healing: “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” Now his spiritual and inner life has been cleansed. He has been redeemed! He goes home with the joy of the Lord in him, in addition to the joy and excitement of his physical healing. Gratitude brings double blessings! Thus, St Paul said to Timothy, “If we have died with him, we shall also live with him...If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.”

We need to learn this lesson of gratitude anew. Appreciation of God’s blessings should not be blurred by material gifts but must target the conversion of heart. Jesus should be the central target of all that we desire. Salvation is what He is offering us in exchange if we come back to Him with gratitude. The Word of God cannot be chained; it must surely liberate us. We are grateful; therefore, we adore! Gratitude is the new attitude in hearts touched by the salvation we have in Christ Jesus.

Thank you, Jesus! I am saved!

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Sunday 13^th October, 2019.

Throw back: You can also read another version of this reflection which I published in October 2016. It is quite insightful. follow the link below                         

https://nwachinwe.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-saving-gratitude_11.html