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Today, 6th of December, we celebrate
Saint Nicholas
My beloved, obedient as you have always been,
not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent,
work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
For God is the one who, for his good purpose,
works in you both to desire and to work.
Do everything without grumbling or questioning,
that you may be blameless and innocent,
children of God without blemish
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine like lights in the world,
as you hold on to the word of life,
so that my boast for the day of Christ may be
that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
But, even if I am poured out as a libation
upon the sacrificial service of your faith,
I rejoice and share my joy with all of you.
R./ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The Lord is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R./ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the Lord;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord
and contemplate his temple.
R./ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord.
R./ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Great crowds were traveling with Jesus,
and he turned and addressed them,
“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother,
wife and children, brothers and sisters,
and even his own life,
he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me
cannot be my disciple.
Which of you wishing to construct a tower
does not first sit down and calculate the cost
to see if there is enough for its completion?
Otherwise, after laying the foundation
and finding himself unable to finish the work
the onlookers should laugh at him and say,
‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’
Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down
and decide whether with ten thousand troops
he can successfully oppose another king
advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?
But if not, while he is still far away,
he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.
In the same way,
everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions
cannot be my disciple.”
In today’s Gospel, Luke recounts the healing of ten lepers, yet only one, a Samaritan, returns to thank Jesus. This passage emphasises gratitude—a central theme for Luke, who often portrays people praising God for Jesus’ miracles. Gratitude is an essential attitude for Christians, recognising every blessing as a gift from God. The Samaritan leper’s return to give thanks shows a deep sense of God’s grace, transcending mere rituals or personal merit.
Jesus meets a group of lepers as he travels to Jerusalem through Samaria and Galilee. They call out from a distance because society rejected them as they were regarded as cursed by God. However, they demonstrate their faith in His mercy. Jesus tells them to present themselves to the priests, and as they go, they are healed. Their journey symbolizes the faith journey, trusting in Jesus’ word even without seeing any immediate results.
The Samaritan’s reaction showcases the openness that Jesus wishes to see in His followers. While the others continue on, perhaps feeling entitled to their healing, the Samaritan comes back to give glory to God. This outsider understands his healing as an act of pure grace, aware that he has no personal claim to it. Jesus seizes this moment to illustrate that gratitude fosters a deeper relationship with God, enabling us to recognize His generosity throughout our lives.
Through this example, the Samaritan serves as a role model for anyone called to embrace a grateful heart. His reaction shows us that faith and gratitude are deeply interconnected. Genuine discipleship requires us to acknowledge God’s presence in every aspect of life and to maintain an attitude of constant thankfulness. We are invited to extend this gift to others, helping them recognize that every moment offers a chance to celebrate God’s grace.
Jose (bibleclaret.org)
