Gratitude to God is the greatest virtue

Gratitude to God is the greatest virtue

By REV. FR. SAMUEL FREDERICK

Tit. 3:1-7, Lk. 17:11-19. In today's first reading, St Paul writes to Titus and the Church at Crete about the importance of living these virtues: "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for any honest work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle and to show perfect courtesy toward all men". These virtues make us to understand the value of appreciation of persons and dispose us to a closer union with God.

To show the need for appreciation, today's Gospel recounts the healing of ten lepers. We are shown how disappointed Jesus was that only one of the lepers, the Samaritan, returned to give thanks. A simple display of gratitude was the least those other nine men could have done to show their appreciation for their miraculous cure. Jesus appreciates the gratitude of the humble and is hurt by the coldness of the egoist. Gratitude is a mark of nobility and a strong bond of social harmony. Today, we are challenged to make the act of gratitude our second nature since we receive countless gifts from other people, just as we provide countless favours in return.

May the Lord renew the hearts of all in authority so that they may exercise their power creatively and constructively! Amen!! Good morning, Peace be with you!!!

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