Gratitude seems to be the pervasive theme for today’s readings for mass. Just the word “gratitude” jolts us out of our own self centeredness and makes us realize just how selfish we are sometimes. So often, we only think of ourselves and maybe wish our lives were better or how can we make our lives better.
If we are not happy with our life’s circumstances we may only feel the lack of things that we wish we had, but don’t. Everyone seems to wish for more money to make ends meet and maybe have a little extra for something fun too. Life shouldn’t be all work and no play. Yet, this attitude can cause us a lot of misery if we end up paying all our extra money on something unexpected like medical bills, for an example. We would have rather spent the money on a trip, or new furniture or something we would enjoy more. Therefore, it is easier to fall into the trap of feeling sorry for ourselves that we can’t go on that trip or buy some new furniture that we’ve wanted for a long time. Life can seem pretty depressing if we are too focused inward on ourselves. Depression is a self involved misery, even when it is caused by things outside of our control.
Naaman set a very good example for us in the first reading for mass today though. His whole life was disrupted when he contracted leprosy and he would have suffered greatly and eventually died from this disease if he had not listened to the prophet Elisha. What isn’t mentioned in this reading is that Naaman got mad and initially wouldn’t listen to the prophet Elisha because the waters in Israel were inferior. His servants talked to him though and Naaman listened to them and changed his mind. It was a good thing too, because that is why he was cured because of his leprosy. This should be a reminder to us to listen to what the doctor says, and the advice of our families too.
Naaman was so grateful to Elisha for curing him, that he pleaded with the prophet to allow him to give him a gift, but Elisha would have nothing to do with it. Naaman couldn’t just let it go though, without acknowledging what God had done for him. He brought two mules full of dirt home with him. Naaman took a little piece of that place with him when he left, to remember his encounter with the living God. We do that too sometimes. We bring home a sea shell or rocks or driftwood or other things we find in a special place. Sometimes it is an emotional reaction too, because of how deeply we felt God’s presence there. Do you have souvenirs like this in your home? When was the last time you looked at them and remembered the joy you experienced there?
Jesus was on a journey too, when he met the ten lepers who begged him to cure them. Can’t you imagine their pleading? People that are desperately ill in our modern times will try just about anything to find a cure for their diseases too. Jesus must have felt their desperation and had pity on them and cured them. Ten miracles in one place! Wow. They were all amazed at what had happened.
Only one of the lepers listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking in his heart though. He returned to acknowledge the man who had done this for him. Christ was amazed that only one leper returned to say thank you to Jesus. Jesus had also given all ten of them an opportunity for a whole new life, but only one leper returned to thank Jesus. They loved the gift, but not the giver.
What about us? Is there anyone in your past that made a difference in your life? A parent, a grandparent, teacher, neighbor or coach? Maybe a nun who taught you in school or a priest who helped you find your way back to Jesus? Maybe someone that did a small random act of kindness for you that made all the difference in your life?
Have you ever thanked them, and told them that they made a difference in your life?
There are a lot of unsung heroes in our lives. Saints that live in imitation of Christ, that are known only to us. It can be a little discouraging to do things for others all your life and never know if you it even mattered to anyone. Today, would be a good day to think of these people and call them or write them and thank them for what they did for you, if you can. If they are in heaven, then perhaps you could pray for them today. We believe in the communion of saints and whether they are in purgatory or in the blessedness of heaven, they will surely hear your prayers and know of your love for them.
The lepers in the scriptures today teaches us a lesson, that life isn’t all about us. It’s about God and other people too.
Daily Mass Readings:
2 Kgs 5: 14-17 / Ps 98: 1-4; 2 Tm 2: 8-13 / Lk 17: 11-19
