DAILY- HOMILY

09 October 2016

28th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Green.      

2 Kgs 5:14 – 17 / 2 Tm 2: 8 – 13 / Lk 17:11 - 19  

1st Reading: 2 Kgs 5: 14 – 17 

So Naaman went down to the Jordan where he washed himself seven times as Elisha had ordered.  His skin became soft like that of a child and he was cleansed.  

Then Naaman returned to the man of God with all his men. He entered and said to him, "Now I know that there is no other God anywhere in the world but in Israel.  I ask you to accept these gifts from your servant.  But Elisha answered, "I swear by Yahweh whom I serve, I will accept nothing." And however much Naaman insisted, Elisha would not accept his gifts. So Naaman told him, "Since you refuse, let me get some sacks of soil from your land – the amount that two mules can carry.  I shall use it to build an altar to Yahweh, for I shall not offer sacrifices to any other god but him."

2nd Reading: 2 Tm 2: 8 – 13

Remember Christ Jesus, risen from the dead, Jesus, son of David, as preached in my Gospel.  For this Gospel I labor and even wear chains like an evildoer, but the word of God is not chained.  And so I bear everything for the sake of the chosen people, that they, too, may obtain the salvation given to us in Christ Jesus and share eternal glory.  This statement is true:  If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we endure with him, we shall reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself.

Gospel Reading: Lk 17:11 - 19. 

On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus was passing along the border between Samaria and Galilee, and as he entered a village, ten lepers came to meet him.  Keeping their distance, they called to him, "Jesus. Master, have pity on us!" Then Jesus said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." Now, as they went their way, they found they were cured. One of them, as soon as he saw he was cleansed, turned back praising God in a loud voice, and throwing himself on his face before Jesus, he gave him thanks.  This man was a Samaritan.

Then Jesus said, "Were not all ten healed?  Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God but this alien?"  And Jesus said to him, "Stand up and go your way; your faith has saved you."

Reflection

One virtue not often found in people is gratitude. We rejoice at gifts, opportunities and blessings received but oftentimes forget to acknowledge the source of all these good things.

Scientists have associated gratitude with good health: they have found out that giving or expressing thanks is one simple way of feeling better. Studies have shown that being thankful releases hormones: Serotonin which improves one's moods, Cytokines which improves the immune system, Cortisol which is anti-stress and Dopamine which is related to cognitive and pleasure-related neurotransmitters.  Expressing thanks has been found to relax blood pressure, stabilize blood sugar levels and improve overall wellbeing.

So once again we have something to be thankful for.  God has provided us with a simple and natural way of keeping healthy by merely improving our sense of gratitude.  

There are many ways we can develop this habit. One could start by saying a short silent prayer of thanks each and every time one received something good.  This can be as small as finding a convenient parking slot at the crowded shopping mall to something as surprising and significant as a miraculous and unexplained cure of a potentially fatal illness.

Whatever it is, give thanks and let the giver know you appreciate the gift or favor.  You can also give thanks by being yourself generous, like Naaman the leper in the first reading cured of his leprosy.

Often we receive gifts through other people.  Let us practice always giving thanks to people who have helped us or benefitted us.  Saying thank you, sending a thank you note, text or email, or token gift are all great practices of giving thanks.  

We can always set time to count our blessings and to thank God and others for their awesome and generous gifts.  Let everyday be a Thanksgiving Day.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Frederick Tiu

     Ellery S. Lim

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

**************************************************

These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only. Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends, colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the following: 

  +================================================+

   |  The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the

   |  priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish

   |  distributed free and for personal use only.