Gratitude and generosity

0:05

Gratitude

Eliza King

Today is Wednesday the 11th of November, the feast of Saint Martin of Tours, in the 32nd week of Ordinary Time.

Hillside Recording and Eliza King sing, ‘Gratitude’.

Let your own gratitude come to the surface of your heart. How would you like your gratitude to reach God in some way as you begin this time of prayer?

All my words fall short

I got nothing new

How could I express

All my gratitude?

I could sing these songs

As I often do

But every song must end

And You never do

So I lift up my hands

And praise You again and again

'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah

Hallelujah

And I know it's not much

But I've nothing else fit for a King

Except for a heart singing hallelujah

Hallelujah

I've got one response

I've got just one move

With my arm stretched wide

I will worship You

So I lift up my hands

And praise You again and again

'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah

Hallelujah

And I know it's not much

But I've nothing else fit for a King

Except for a heart singing hallelujah

Hallelujah

Come on, my soul

Don't you get shy on me

Lift up your song

'Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs

Get up and praise the Lord

I will praise the name

Jesus

So I lift up my hands

Praise You again and again

'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah

Hallelujah

4:47

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 17:11-19

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, 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 made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’

6:23

Surely Goodness

Raphah

Ten men with leprosy cry out for mercy and are healed as they go on their way. Only one, a despised Samaritan and a foreigner, turns back to give thanks. Imagine yourself among the ten. Are you hurrying on to enjoy what you have received, or are you turning back? What do you notice in yourself?

St Martin of Tours, a soldier, famously cut his cloak in two to share it with a freezing beggar. Gratitude and generosity belong together. What have you received recently: a kindness, a healing or an unexpected gift, for which you have not yet thanked God? Has anyone ‘shared their cloak’ with you?

As we hear the reading again, notice the moment when the Samaritan turns back, praising God aloud and falling at the feet of Jesus. What do you feel as you watch him? Allow a word, phrase or mental image to stay with you.

9:39

Luke 17:11-19

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, 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 made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’

11:15

St. Ignatius says that the root of humility is gratitude. Take time to say thank you to God in your own words, naming what you are grateful for. If gratitude feels difficult today, tell God that too, and ask for the grace, in time, of a thankful heart.

13:18

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen