Thanksgiving Day 2024

 Happy Thanksgiving! 

Today’s Gospel, the story of the ten lepers, offers a powerful reflection on gratitude. 

Jesus heals ten men suffering from leprosy—a life-altering, isolating illness—but only one of them, a Samaritan, returns to give thanks. 

If this were a poll, the results would be discouraging: just 10% remembered to say “thank you.”

In a world saturated with polls, we’re bombarded by numbers. Polls tell us what people think about everything: approval ratings, favorite foods, or trends in gratitude. 

For example, surveys reveal that while most people feel grateful, far fewer actually express that gratitude—to God or others. 

We are often so busy moving on to the next task or worry that we forget to stop, turn around, and say, “Thank you.”

But the one leper who did return shows us the heart of gratitude. He stopped what he was doing, turned around, and fell at Jesus’ feet to give thanks. 

His gratitude wasn’t just polite—it was transformative. Jesus tells him, “Your faith has saved you.” 

His thanksgiving was an act of faith, acknowledging that his healing came from God.

On this Thanksgiving Day, we are reminded that gratitude is not just about feeling thankful; it’s about expressing it. 

Like the leper, we are called to stop, turn around, and recognize the blessings God has poured into our lives. 

We are blessed with family, friends, the gift of faith, and even the challenges that shape us.

But let’s not stop there. Let’s make today about more than turkey and traditions. 

Let’s remember to thank God and those around us who enrich our lives. Reach out to someone who has been a blessing to you—a parent, a friend, a teacher, or even someone who helped you in a small but meaningful way.

If we were to poll the heart of Jesus, I think the result would be clear: what delights Him most is a heart that remembers to give thanks. 

Let us be that one out of ten, a people of gratitude, today and every day. Amen.