Whatever God Does For Us Is Favour

 

Gratitude is a good use of God’s gift.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Wednesday of 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, November 15th, 2023
Texts: Wisdom 6:1-11; Psalm 82:3-7; Luke 17:11-19 

Yesterday we were reminded that we were the ones who owed God; God does not owe us at any time. Whatever God does for us is favour. The right response to favour is gratitude. Hence, today’s gospel Acclamation says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ  Jesus for you.” It is the will of God for us in Christ, for we have received so much favour in Christ. We received forgiveness of sins, reconciliation, redemption, salvation, sanctification, hope, blessings from heavenly places and God’s love. 

Jesus Christ reminds us to imbibe the habit of gratitude. We are to thank God without season. Our prayer should not only be about petitions and requests but also gratitude. In so far we are alive, we owe God gratitude for the gift of life. Life was God’s gift to us. He later gave us the earth to till and care for it.  

Few people are grateful, many are ungrateful to God

Jesus Christ healed ten lepers but only one, a Samaritan, that returned to give thanks. What does it tell us? Few people are grateful, many are ungrateful to God. It is a lesson for those who are committed to doing good. They should not be discouraged when only few return to show gratitude. This teaches us to do good because it is our nature to do good. We should not do good because of appreciation.  

We also see that only the stranger among them that returned to give thanks. This tells us the tendency to fall victim because of our familiarity with God. It is a wakeup call for us to thank God in all circumstances. We can even turn our prayers to thanksgivings. God, I thank You because you will heal me. 

Gratitude is proper use of God’s gift

We learn from the first reading that gratitude is proper use of God’s gift. The wise rebukes kings, judges and rulers for abuse of authority. He reminds them that God gives authority and that He will call them to account. In his words: “For your dominion was given you from the  Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High, who will search out your works and inquire into your plans.” He accused them: “Because as servants of his kingdom you did not rule rightly, nor keep the law, nor walk according to the purpose of God”. We are to use God’s gift well in thanksgiving to Him. 

Prayer 

God our Father, we thank You for all we have received from You; may we always live in gratitude to You. Help us not to be ingrates in our attitude to Your gifts. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke