November 12, 2025 // Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 17:11-19
Reflect on the Word //
I loaded up my family's seven-foot Christmas tree, both boxes of ornaments, and all the other miscellaneous Christmas decorations I could find into my Jeep. I ended up laying the seats down in order to fit everything to drive them over to my then boyfriend’s (now husband) place. We thought it would be fun to host our first ugly sweater-themed Christmas party as a couple.
The meatballs were warming up, the cups were out for drinks, chips were ready in a bowl, and so were the other serving dishes that would be used for whatever everyone else brought. The Christmas classics kept me in step as I finished decorating while we waited for our college friends to arrive.
After the white elephant exchange began to wind down, I started picking up the trash and gathering the dishes. At first I thought it was sweet that everyone felt at home, so I didn’t mind having clean-up duty. Slowly that sentiment changed as I found myself alone. Was it possible that my boyfriend and I mistakenly found ourselves with a group of takers?
In today’s Gospel only one of the nine lepers returned to thank Jesus for curing him. His humility didn’t leave him once he was cleansed and Jesus blessed him further (see Luke 17:19). Jesus highlights the ingratitude of the other lepers because He knows ingratitude hurts both the giver and the receiver. He reveals to us the selfish, fallen nature of our own hearts.
Gratitude cannot be forced upon anyone, but it has to be freely given. It can be incredibly discouraging to experience thanklessness in all the various relationships we have. But instead of complaining about them, maybe it is an opportunity to look at our own gratitude.
Do we value the ways our friends and families help us? How often do we say, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” (Luke 17:13) and offer nothing in return? Is our prayer life so burdened with petitions that we miss giving God His rightful thanks and praise? The Lord wants us to be like the leper who came back.
Relate to the Lord // Look for an opportunity to give today.
