A Christian Viewpoint
Reverend John Walters
The one who said 'thanks'
A Christian viewpoint by Rev John Walters, priest-in-charge, Harlaston
Now that the Harvest festival is ever upon us, I dare say that many of my readers will again hear the importance of thanksgiving.
My favourite theme of thanksgiving is based like so many others on the account from St Luke's Gospil of the Healing of the Ten Lepers.
Adversity is a powerful force for bringing people together.Â
We can assume that under normal circumstances these unfortunate people would never have associated so closely with each other unless they were fellow sufferers of this dreadful disease.
The one that returned to give thanks was a Samaritan. Even the hated Samaritan had been allowed to associate with the others. Common demand had broken down barriers.
"Jesus, Master, have mercy on us" cried these unfortunate people. "Go and show yourselves to the priests" said the Lord and we are told that 'as they bent they were cleansed.'
Imagine the excitement. As they went they could see the affect of healing on each others' faces and on their own hands and feet.
The flesh being restored to its condition of former days, Jesus seemed surprised that only one returned to give thanks.
They were all cleansed. Thanklessness does not change God, but it has a powerful effect on us humans.
The practice of thanksgiving gives to us an awareness of our dependence on each other and of our total dependence on the goodness of God.
