Gratitude

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 493 | Wednesday, November 13, 2019

In today’s Gospel we have the well-known story of the ten lepers who come to Jesus for healing.  And he does it!  But only one returns.  And he asks, “Where are the other nine?”  Well, the other nine may say, “I didn’t ask for leprosy, why should I say thanks?  I didn’t do this to myself.”  Therese reminds us, though, “Prayer is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as in joy.”  That may be hard to remember, hard to implement, hard to do – just like the nine who wandered away.  But it is true, “Prayer is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as in joy.”  Let’s try to remember that.