Catholic Homily

A GRATEFUL HEART

Readings: Tit 3:1-7;Lk 17:11-19 

Poet Rabindranath Tagore expressed it in this way: “I have thanked the trees that have made my life fruitful, but have failed to remember the grass that has ever kept it green.” We take so much of God’s blessings in creation for granted. What of his blessings to each of us personally given? There is an Irish proverb: “Get on your knees and thank God you are on your feet.” It is incredible that the nine lepers who had been cured failed to return to give thanks to the Lord. May we imitate the Samaritan (Lk 17:16) who returned to thank the Lord. The Mass is a constant reminder of our need to thank God, for Eucharist is a worship of thanks and praise to God, for all of the good things he has given to entire humanity. How do we express our gratitude to God? It is not merely in words but by our life, a life that responds to God’s goodness through our goodness to others. Still another specific form of response to God’s goodness is, as St Paul writes to Titus (Tn 3:1), to be loyal citizens to our Government. In other words, our entire lives, not just prayers, must be a thanksgiving to God. Helen Keller said, “So much has been given to me that I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied!” My own often repeated prayer is: “Oh God who has given so much, mercifully grant me one more thing - a grateful heart!”

Catholic Homily A GRATEFUL HEART

Readings: Tit3:1-7;Lk 17:11-19 WEDNESDAY - WEEK 32/ YEAR-B