32nd Week in Ordinary Time
15th November 2023 (Wednesday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Week 4
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Wisdom 6:1-11
Listen, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, you that rule over multitudes and boast of many nations. For your dominion was given you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High, who will search out your works and enquire into your plans. Because as servants of his kingdom you did not rule rightly or keep the law or walk according to the purpose of God, he will come upon you terribly and swiftly, because severe judgment falls on those in high places. For the lowliest may be pardoned in mercy, but the mighty will be mightily tested. For the Lord of all will not stand in awe of anyone or show deference to greatness; because he himself made both small and great, and he takes thought for all alike. But a strict enquiry is in store for the mighty. To you then, O monarchs, my words are directed that you may learn wisdom and not transgress. For they will be made holy who observe holy things in holiness, and those who have been taught them will find a defence. Therefore set your desire on my words; long for them, and you will be instructed.
Psalm 82:3-4, 6-7 (R. 8a)
R/. Arise, O God; judge the earth!
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : Luke 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Highlight: Gratitude is a sign of the rectitude of the heart!
Guidlines: All that we are, all that we have, and all that we do, everything is given either by God directly or through many others. This obligates us to be profoundly grateful.{alertSuccess}
1. We live in a world where goodness is often taken for granted. Many receive so much good but they hardly bother to be grateful. They do not realize and appreciate the value of the good done to them. They fail to see the enormous amount of sacrifice those good acts involve.
2. And some others are so indifferent and demanding and think that it is their right to receive. This is what we see in all fields, in religion, in families, in work circles, in educational centres, in religious communities, in administration circles, et cetera.
3. In the gospel, Jesus too faces a similar experience of ingratitude. He heals ten lepers. But only one of them, that too a Samaritan returns to Jesus to thank him. The other nine are overjoyed at the fact of healing. In the meantime, they forget the healer.
4. The same thing happens in our lives as well. Day in and day out, we receive numberless blessings and favours from God. But conveniently we lose sight of them. We take them for granted. At times, we are so indifferent that we just do not value and appreciate the goodness of the people and the good done to us.
5. We are so engrossed in the good that we receive and enjoy and we ignore the givers and doers of those good things. We do not realize the simple fact that others are not bound to help us. But, still many help us not out of obligation but out of concern.
6. It is not because we have a right for good but only because they are upright. It is not because we deserve those favours but mainly because we need and the givers know that we are in need.
7. True gratitude does not finish with mere thanks but leads to a sincere responsibility. All those who receive so much are bound to give as well, just as they have received abundantly. Therefore, a sense and act of gratitude that does not lead to a sense of responsibility, is defective and deficient gratitude. Those who receive must also learn to give, and giving thanks is the first minimum and doing good in return is the flowering of receiving.
Practice: Let us foster a culture of gratitude because it can rekindle within us a true depth of humility which leads us to be people of giving. As we receive, so too we give!{alertSuccess}