Lk.17:11-19

28th Sunday of Year C – 2019

There is an English expression used quite often by people.
It refers to the situation of ‘taking something for granted’.

It describes the attitude of making use of something as if it was ‘normal’ to have it.
We think that a certain object is meant to be at our service.
We assume that somehow we have a ‘right’ to dispose of this item.

This may not be a mistake if the object in question is ours and nobody else has a claim to it.
It is true that our possessions are meant for our own use.

But… what is seriously wrong is when we adopt the same attitude towards people.
And we do, sometimes… take people for granted!
Time and again we expect some people to do things for us, to render services to us,
as if we had a right to their help.
We take their assistance, their kindness, their patience, we take THEM for granted…

Today’s gospel (Lk.17:11-19) shows us 9 men who did exactly this with… Jesus!

And, amazingly, does it not happen that WE, also, take… God for granted?!
His tremendous generosity can be so much part of our lives that we fail to notice it.
We get used to the outpouring of his gifts and blessings, day after day, and we do not acknowledge this with thanksgiving.

This Sunday – and the Feast of Thanksgiving following on Monday – may be ideal occasions to become aware of this
and to say, wholeheartedly, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU to God who delights in showering on us so many good things!

Note: This gospel scene is presented in a video at: https://image-i-nations.com/the-grateful-leper/

Another reflection is also available on a similar theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/28e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2019/

Source: Image: permahaus.com

28th Sunday of the Year, C

A wealthy businessman, owner of a prosperous company, tells the story of how, one day, he decided to help one of his employees. The man had come to inform him that he had to leave the company. univ-of-reading 1213716-hand-school-office-study-academic-studies-paper-photocase-stock-photo-large_jpeg When he was asked why he had taken this decision, the man explained that he had received from his doctor the verdict that… he had about six months to live. The businessman knew that this employee had wanted his eldest son to go to the university but, of course, now it would not be possible.

The owner of the company decided to pay for the young man to go on with his studies to become an engineer. The rich man satisfied with his good deed soon forgot about it. Five years later, on a rainy evening, a young man was at the door asking to speak to the businessman. Such a night-time visit was very unusual but the man’s surprise was still greater when he discovered that the visitor was the young man whose studies he had paid for. The visitor said: “Sir, for four years I have benefited from your generosity. Today, I have managed to obtain an important contract I come to thank you.”

As he was about to leave, the rich man asked: “What about your cousin adopted by your late father. I paid for his studies as well. Has he finished his course?” The visitor bent the head and replied: again-thank-you “He has left last year to… to… see the world. He did not do his last exams…” The businessman knew that there would be no ‘Thank you’ coming from that side…

Yet, the experience he made was… more positive than that of Jesus! One out of two people came to thank him for his help. While Jesus had cured ten men (Lk.17:11-19) and only one returned to thank him for his healing.

‘THANK YOU’ – two small words that can make such a big difference! They make the helper feel that what he has done has been noticed and appreciated. And they make the one who received help to become a person who can recognised the goodness and generosity of a fellow human being. It may even enable him, or her, to become other-centered and selfless themselves!…

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28th Sunday of Year C – 2019

Source: Image: permahaus.com

28th Sunday of the Year, C

Source: Images: www.photocase.com www.getreading.co.uk youngclergywomen.org