Gratitude Gets the Last Word

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop

Reading 1 Titus 3:1-7

Beloved:
Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities,
to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise.
They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate,
exercising all graciousness toward everyone.
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded,
slaves to various desires and pleasures,
living in malice and envy,
hateful ourselves and hating one another.

But when the kindness and generous love
of God our savior appeared,
not because of any righteous deeds we had done
but because of his mercy,
he saved us through the bath of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
whom he richly poured out on us
through Jesus Christ our savior,
so that we might be justified by his grace
and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 23:1b-3a, 3bc-4, 5, 6

R.    (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R.    The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R.    The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R.    The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R.    The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

 

 

Alleluia 1 Thessalonians 5:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In all circumstances, give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”

- - -

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Gratitude Gets the Last Word

November 11, 2026 // Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 17:11-19

Reflect on the Word // 

I recently made a pilgrimage to Kalaupapa, a quiet Hawaiian peninsula on Molokai where people with Hansen’s disease were separated from the world. There I met an elderly patient who greeted me with a joyful smile. I knew his story held years of suffering and isolation. I expected sorrow. Instead, I encountered a man radiant with gratitude. I will never forget him.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus heals ten people with leprosy. Ten receive an extraordinary gift. Yet only one turns back, returns to Jesus, and gives thanks. Jesus gently asks, “Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:17)

I want to imagine myself as the one who returned in gratitude. But how often do I receive a blessing and quickly move on to the next thing? How often do I treat answered prayers like completed tasks instead of invitations to draw closer to our Heavenly Father, Who answered them?

The one who returned understood that the greatest gift was not only healing, it was Jesus Himself. He discovered that gratitude was the beginning of a deeper relationship with the One Who had changed his life forever.

Gratitude reveals God’s goodness. We all carry burdens we did not choose, yet every day offers reasons to return to the Lord with a thankful heart.

Maybe today’s invitation is simple: Turn around. Notice. Give thanks. Because a grateful heart never loses its way. It always finds its way back to the Giver. Let us give thanks to God today, because the greatest blessing is always found in His presence.

Relate to the Lord // Make a list today of what you are grateful for. Be intentional in giving thanks to God for each one.

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