28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) - 9 October

9th October 2022

A short reflection on today's Gospel by the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J Sheen:

"Do not make all your prayers, prayers of petition. What would a young man think of a young lady who suffered from give-me-itis, who did nothing but ask favours?

Where there is love we seek rather to give than to receive. Such is the test of a real love of God.

"When God does answer your prayers of petition, do you ever thank Him for His gift?"

(Fulton Sheen’s Wartime Prayer Book)

"Remember the Gospel story about the cure of the ten lepers? Only one, a Samaritan, returned to thank Our Lord. Ten men who had been doomed to a living death were given back their lives, and only the member of an outcast race came back to say 'Thank You.' Gratitude is still one of the world's most neglected virtues. How much we have been given - but how often do we return to thank?"

(God Love You, Hope Lies in Teens, The Catholic Advocate, Volume 13, Number 51, 10 December 1964)

"Life has to be toned down with that moral quality which recognises that wealth, health, wisdom, and above all, faith are gifts of God which grow and intensify with a spirit of thanksgiving.

"Because we are the recipients of gifts, the humble man is reverent and thankful to God. Daniel Webster was once asked what the greatest thought was that ever entered his mind; his answer was: ‘Personal accountability to God for His gifts.’ The proud man counts his newspaper clippings – the humble man his blessings."

(Thoughts for Daily Living)

Prayer of Gratitude (Saint Richard of Chichester, 1198-1253)

Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits and blessings which You have given me, for all the pains and insults which You have borne for me. Merciful Friend, Brother and Redeemer, may I know You more clearly, love You more dearly, and follow You more nearly, day by day. Amen. 💖🙏💐