Have you remembered to thank God?
“On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.””
Luke 17:11-19, NRSV
Today in the United States, we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. We will hear many stories of giving thanks. Some families will sit down to dinner on this Thanksgiving Day and ask each person around the table to share something for which they are grateful. This year it might be hard for some people to think of something. The lesson of the ten lepers from Luke’s Gospel is the reading appointed for Thanksgiving Day in our lectionary. As we reflect on the story of those ten lepers who were made clean, we know that they all had something for which to be thankful, but only one turned back to praise God and thank Jesus.
Think about all that you do have (rather than those inevitable things that are lost or diminished this year) and know that everything we have has been given by God. And then consider this: have you remembered to turn back to praise God and thank Jesus? Have you run back to the source of Life to bow before Him in gratitude? Where are you grateful to Him today? Will you share your answer with those around your dinner table?
Will you remember to thank God?
Collect for Thanksgiving Day
Almighty and gracious Father, we give You thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of Your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of Your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(BCP, p.246)
