A country boy was told by his teacher that he needed glasses; he was not able to see the blackboard and was getting behind in his classes. His father scoffed at the idea- only sissies wore glasses. He saved his money until he was able to buy a pair in Woolworths. They were not prescription glasses, but they made a vast improvement. He hid them until late one night he sneaked out of the house and looked at the beautiful starlit sky. For the first time in his life he saw the Big and Little Dipper and realized that stars actually seemed to twinkle. He was so overcome with emotion that he wept at what he had been missing all his life.
Thanksgiving. The gratitude we owe to God should show itself in how we appreciate others who have played an important part in our lives. How often people fail in gratitude towards parents who gave them the precious gift of life. Or to others who have made a significant difference in their life. Do we sufficiently thank God for the beautiful rich and free country we live in, compared to the 2/3 of the world’s population who are not free and who go to bed hungry every night?
People seldom appreciate health until they get sick and stare death in the face, or when they get old and reach the metallic age- “silver in their hair, gold in their teeth, stainless steel joints in their knees or hips and lead in their pants.” We envy millionaires, but would you sell your children for a million dollars, your eyesight, your hearing, your mobility, your mind, your freedom?
In today’s gospel, the point is not that in one day 10 lepers were cured, but that everyone who comes to him with a deep faith can be healed of the leprosy of sin, can be made whole again, regardless of race, nationality, social condition, etc.
During this Eucharist, count your blessings, and like the Samaritan leper try to thank God, through Jesus Christ his Son, for the many graces and healings you have received, and ask his pardon for the times you have taken his goodness for granted.
Fr. Wojtek Kuzma