28thSunday in OrdinaryTime(Cycle C, YearI)

Community Word:Jesus Christ inspires us to have unwavering faith.

Theme:We have unwavering faith when we are grateful for God’s kindness.

Promise:“…live with him…he remains faithful.”(2Tim 2: 11-13)

Reflection:
This week, the Gospel teaches us a striking lesson on gratitude, and in the story about ten lepers whom Jesus healed, it is apparent that Jesus recognizes the importance of being grateful. When only the Samaritan leper came back to thank him after being healed, Jesus asked: “Ten were cleaned, were they not? Where are the other nine?” (Lk17:17). In their desperation and hopelessness, the lepers cried after Jesus for mercy to heal them of their condition. There was nothing left to be done but to recognize hope from a superior power. And Jesus gave it to them for free without any hesitation. Why was there no sense of gratitude from the other nine? Was it because they felt that as chosen people, God has an obligation to them? Or, there was no need to return anymore because after losing so much time as society’s outcast, they can now move on and just continue living their lives?

The Samaritan leper turned back, not just to give thanks, but to seek what his soul was really yearning for and needed, a relationship with the Divine Healer. His faith in the Lord was affirmed just as he received salvation from that day on. He understood the underlying truth that Jesus was not just a Healer but a Savior and Redeemer. The others were satisfied with mere physical healing and sought nothing more from Jesus. In the first reading, Naaman was cured of his skin disease after believing in and following the instructions of Elisha, the man of God. Not only did he received healing because of his faith, but he found salvation as well. And withhumility and gratefulness, he professed adoration to God: “I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel,” (2Kings 5:15b).

It is not difficult to say “thank you” to people who have done good to us or who have helped us in our needs. Saying “thank you” not only eases our burdens but also the difficulties of those who are at the receiving end of your gratitude. Gratitude is acknowledging God’s outreached hand in all the circumstance of our life. In our community, everybody benefits from the power and mercy of Christ, like the testimony of one member:

“Like the lepers and Naaman, I too was a leper, sick with my worldly sins. I was full of myself and I was jobless. I was invited to the renewal community, the manner by which God called me to change my ways. With many doubts and questions in my heart, I agreed with my wifeto participate in a marriage encounter program and Life in the Spirit Seminar and subsequently attended all Christian formation teachings. My life was changed and I received healing from the Lord. My faith was restored; I received salvation. In gratefulness to all that God has done in my life, I came back and offered my gratitude thru service in community in spreading the gospel of healing and love to others.”

As the psalmist exhorts, “Give thanks to the Lord, and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know that He has done,” (Ps 105:1). Let us not keep such gratitude to ourselves, but declare it through our testimony to Christ, that others may know of God’s greatness and goodness. When we are grateful to God’s kindness, our faith in Him will remain unwavering, for as we “…live with him…he remains faithful,” (2 Tim 2:11-13). Remember that all that we have are God’s gift to us; our earthly achievements are nothing compared to God’s providence and love for us.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, through your kindness and healing mercy, You inspired me to move beyond my daily crosses. As I journey towards Your eternal kingdom through this community, let me always recognize Your daily miracles in my life. And with unwavering faith and gratitude, I willingly offer myself as your servant in bringing Your conversion and salvation to others that they too may see Your loving kindness. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:
1.How do you feel when you recognize and receive God’s kindness in your life? Please share your experience.

2.How well do you express your gratitude to God for the graces and miracles that you experience daily? Do you express your gratefulness in words and/ or actions?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
October 13, 2019 (Sun) – 2Kgs 5:14-17/Ps 98:1-4/2Tm 2:8-13/Lk 17:11-19
October 14, 2019 (Mon) – Rom 1:1-7/Ps 98:1-4/Lk 11:29-32
October 15, 2019 (Tue) – Rom 1:16-25/Ps 19:2-5/Lk 11:37-41
October 16, 2019 (Wed) – Rom 2:1-11/Ps 62:2, 3, 6, 7, 9/Lk 11:42-46
October 17, 2019 (Thu) – Rom 3:21-30/Ps 130:1-6/Lk 11:47-54
October 18, 2019 (Fri) – 2Tm 4:10-17/Ps 145:10-12, 17, 18/Lk 10:1-9
October 19, 2019 (Sat) – Rom 4:13, 16-18/Ps 105:6-9, 42, 42/Lk 12:8-12

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”