GratitudeNovember 24, 2025

The usual choice of readings for the Eucharistic liturgy on Thanksgiving Day is the Gospel from Luke about the ten lepers (Lk. 11-19). The lepers, who were ostracized from their community because of their disease, called to Jesus from a distance and asked for pity. Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests. On the way they were cured of their leprosy. One of the ten, a Samaritan, returned to Jesus to thank him and glorify God. Jesus asks, “Ten were cleansed…where are the other nine?” Then Jesus tells the Samaritan to go on his way, his faith has saved him.

No one answered Jesus’s question: where are the other nine? Well, here is a possibility. The lepers were cleansed, and as an affirmation of their healing, were to go to the temple in Jerusalem and show themselves to the priests. Then they would be accepted back into the community.

Except for the Samaritan.

Samaritans and Jews were enemies. The Samaritan would not be accepted in the Temple, let alone into Jewish society. The other nine would be able to do both. Perhaps when they reached the Temple they did give thanks and glory to God. We only know what the Samaritan did.

He glorified God and fell at the feet of Jesus in gratitude.

The story is more than a lesson to be grateful, though, in my humble opinion. The other nine could have come back along with the Samaritan, which would have been a gesture of acceptance of a supposed enemy who had benefited in the same way from the healing love of Jesus. True gratitude brings people together. Gratitude opens our hearts to acceptance as well as to generosity. Maybe that is a lesson I need to remember. How about you?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sister Elaine Berkopec