Luke 17
"In
everything give thanks (in EVERYTHING!); for this is God's will for you."
1 Thess 5:18
If a
small child is taught to say "thank you" for a small piece of candy
received, should not grown up Christians give thanks for innumerable graces
from the Father's hand?
If
we could have been reporters on the scene, we can imagine everyone confessed
their gratitude. Their lives had
been transformed in a moment. They
had passed from death to life by the gracious healing of the Master. None would be so callous as to declare
they deserved healing graces. It
is quite unlikely that even one said, "It's about time!" No, being
overwhelmed by God's goodness won't typically leave one unappreciative; it's
just that feeling a sense of joy is a
step or two short of declaring one's
gratitude.
They
were members of the fraternity in which no one wanted membership.
They
were helpless, desperate and aware.
They
were respectful.
They
were believing.
They
were healed.
They
were ecstatic.
But
nine of the ten continued dying.
He
was a fraternity of one
He
shared their suffering.
He
shared their desperation.
He
shared their respect.
He
shared their healing.
He
shared their joy.
He
did not share their self-preoccupation.
