From the Friars: Where are the Other Nine?
One of the first things that most mothers will teach their children is to say thank you. It is a fundamental act of justice to acknowledge a gift or favor from another and express gratitude. This is rooted in the life of God Himself where the Second Divine Person receives all from the Father and responds with an eternally grateful love. The first motive of the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross is to give thanks to the Father on behalf of all creation as our great High Priest. This is why it is called the Eucharist when this sacrifice is made present in the Holy Mass. Eucharist means thanksgiving.
The Healing of Ten Lepers By James Tissot – Online Collection of Brooklyn Museum; Public Domain, Link
Not long ago I heard that in the 1970’s over 70% of Catholics in the Archdiocese of Boston attended Mass regularly. The current number is about 10%. This corresponds closely to the healing of the ten lepers that we hear about today in the Gospel. Only one, a foreigner, bothers to go back and give thanks to Jesus for his miraculous healing. “Where are the other nine?” Jesus asks. We can ask ourselves, “Where are the other 90%?” It is very easy to forget what God has done for us and to take it for granted. He gave us the amazing gifts of creating us, redeeming us and allowing us to share in His eternal Divine Life.
As I get older, I realize how spoiled I have been during my life. I was blessed to be a cradle Catholic. The great truths that so many have struggled mightily to come to know were handed to me on a platter. I have never really wanted for anything, always having food, shelter, education, health care, family, friends, and countless other gifts. Yet still I have complained much and continue to do so. When I went astray like the prodigal son I was welcomed back with open arms, cleansed from the leprosy of sin. But most of all, when I was in the second grade, I began to receive the gift of God Himself in First Holy Communion. Yet, the next day in school I bragged about how much money I had received as gifts.
May Our Blessed Mother, whose Heart is full of gratitude, help us to imitate the grateful Samaritan leper.
Peace.
~ Fr. Peter