Advance Thanksgiving

First Reading:  2 Kings 5:14-17

So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, as Elisha had told him to do. And his flesh became clean once more like the flesh of a little child. Returning to Elisha with his whole escort, he went in and, presenting himself, said, 'Now I know that there is no God anywhere on earth except in Israel. Now, please, accept a present from your servant.'

But Elisha replied, 'As Yahweh lives, whom I serve, I will accept nothing.' Naaman pressed him to accept, but he refused. Then Naaman said, 'Since your answer is "No," allow your servant to be given as much earth as two mules may carry, since your servant will no longer make burnt offerings or sacrifice to any god except Yahweh.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-13

Remember the gospel that I carry, 'Jesus Christ risen from the dead, sprung from the race of David'; it is on account of this that I have to put up with suffering, even to being chained like a criminal. But God's message cannot be chained up. So I persevere for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they, too, may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Here is a saying that you can rely on: If we have died with him, then we shall live with him. If we persevere, then we shall reign with him. If we disown him, then he will disown us. If we are faithless, he is faithful still, for he cannot disown his own self.

Gospel:  Luke 17:11-19

Now it happened that on the way to Jerusalem he was travelling in the borderlands of Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one of the villages, ten men suffering from a virulent skin-disease came to meet him. They stood some way off and called to him, 'Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.'

When he saw them he said, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' Now as they were going away they were cleansed. Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself prostrate at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. This led Jesus to say, 'Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they?

It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.' And he said to the man, 'Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.'

Reflection

By Rosalinda N. Markell

Have we thought of the wondrous power of giving thanks to God? When you open the golden pages of the Bible,  you will read God's wonderful words. There, it says,  "In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made unto God." (Philippians 4:6).

Notice that the Bible does not say that we are just to thank God for what He has given us, but with thanksgiving, let our request made unto God.  Without doubt, we should thank God in advance for providing us our needs.

As most of us may know, giving praise and saying thank you for the gifts received, big or small, seem to boost the giver's spirit and power. People seem to grow and blossom when they are praised and thanked for. God may feel the same way. We make Him happy, when we give Him praise and offer thanksgiving. When was the last time we thanked God? Thanked those around us? It is unfortunate that the words "Thank you" is no longer often heard at home or elsewhere as though everything done by parents to their children is obligation, as though everything done by cleaners or security guards is just part of their job.

When we give thanks, it makes our own spirit jump for joy too.  Look at the Blessed Virgin Mary when she visited Elizabeth. Didn't she burst into her now famous Magnificat? Look at that Samaritan leper who was cured of his disease. Didn't he praise God on the top of his voice and prostrated himself to Jesus? Giving thanks is good for us! And surely, God will be happy to bring life and health and also peace to us in a greater abundance.

Let us be thankful to God for whatever He gives us, but also be gracious, brave, and strong enough to share it with others.

Prayer

Dear loving Father, this is the time when we come to You, not with a wish or plea, but with a song of thanksgiving. Yes, we know how many times we have come to You with questions and fears.  But we truly are so thankful that You calm our fears and answer our questions in Your time.  Please help us, dear Father, to be thankful for all our blessings, whether big or small. Thank you for the blessings of love, health, protection for our love ones, happy true friends and for a wonderful home. Thank you for the privilege of praying to You, our dear Father. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.