More about faith – did the Samaritan have the faith of mustard seed? [This means you will have to go back and read last week’s gospel and reflection]. How is faith shown? How did the leper know that somehow gratitude is connected to healing?
We can sometimes forget that just saying thank you can be powerful. But it isn’t just saying it -- it’s as they say, ‘an attitude of gratitude’. Okay, a mostly horrifying expression, yet the intent of the message is clear. Sometimes saying the words can move us toward the different behavior.
We teach kids early on to say please and thank you. Do they understand the reason – what we call good manners? I’d say they understand better our actions of gratitude.
The 10th man, the one leper turned around and came back and lay down at Jesus’ feet – now that’s a posture of gratitude. With his entire body, he offered his gratefulness. His mama was not there to tell him to do that and I don’t think he was raised better than those other 9 lepers.
He somehow was able to overcome his own shame to give thanks. Wow.
As we consider what we have and how we get it, I want to say thanks to the community who prays together, wo serves together, who finds ways to be the church in the world.
Our faith does make us well. I believe it.
Alison Schultz+
Priest in Charge
