DAILY- HOMILY

October 13, 2019 - 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
In the Mass readings today we hear about giving praise and thanks to God for benefits received.

In the first reading the Syrian General Naaman honors Yahweh for his cure from leprosy at the instructions of the prophet Elisha. In the second reading St. Paul professes his faith and confidence in God in the salvation received from Christ which he preached unceasingly to all peoples.

In the Gospel reading Jesus cures ten lepers but only one returns to give thanks: '"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.'"

It is so important that we learn to give thanks for favors received. From our youth our parents have taught us to acknowledge and give thanks for favors received, big and small, from whoever.

We often say a short silent prayer of thanks each and every time we receive 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 cured of his leprosy.

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.

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!

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