Homily for Wednesday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle I
Theme: The Cleansing of the Ten Lepers, unfortunately only one went back to say thank you to Jesus for the healing.
By: Fr Diotacious Chikontwe SMA
Homily for Wednesday November 10 2021
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Wisdom: Wisdom 6:1-11
Psalm: 81:3-4,6-7
Luke:17:11-19
*INTRODUCTION*
Today’s gospel passage presents to us the story of ten lepers, nine were Jews and one was a Samaritan, whom Jesus healed of their leprosy. All of us know that leprosy was an abominable disease at that time. Lepers were banned from mingling with the healthy. Therefore from a distance these ten lepers called out Jesus for healing. When they were healed, only one out of ten went back to Jesus and gave Him thanks. Where are the other nine?
*WHY SHOULD WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD TODAY?*
Dear brethrens, a friend of mine helped me yesterday to prepare today’s reflection, and this is what he said about this question of being thankful, i just encourage you to read up to the end, and its indeed awesome to hear, This is what he said….
“If you own just one Bible, you are abundantly blessed one-third of the world does not have access to even one. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than a million who will not survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of five million people around the world. If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest or torture of death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world. If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy. If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare. If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not. If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God’s healing touch. If you prayed yesterday and today, you are in the minority because you believe in God’s willingness to hear and answer prayer. If you believe in Jesus as the Son of God, you are part of a very small minority in the world. If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.” And these are the reasons why we should give thanks.
*CONCLUSION*
And so, like the leper who was grateful to Jesus because He healed him of his leprosy how much more for us? Besides the things I mentioned above, we should be more grateful because God has given us our Christian faith, good health, loved ones, education, talents and skills and a thousand other gifts that we take for granted.
God bless you and always be thankful for everything!
Fr Diotacious Chikontwe SMA