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Reflection of the Month - October 2006
“And One Returned”
In the story of the ten men healed of leprosy recorded in the
Gospel of St. Luke, it is reported that only one returned to
give thanks. That “one” becomes the focus of attention for me as
I look forward to the Thanksgiving season. Who can speak for the
leper and say why he returned, we simply know he did.
But his response to his miraculous blessing of healing, moves
me to think about my attitude and my spiritual posture in
response to the blessings I receive. His response causes me to
examine the value I place on the things I have received.
I have been blessed by goods that have made life more
convenient; by goods that have brought unexpected comforts and
joys. I have been blessed by things that were intended to be
used once; and some that were intended to last almost a
life-time. Some goods were to be displayed and shared; others
were meant for private and personal use.
I have been blessed by goods that have touched my mind and
given me new insights about life; some have reached into my
heart and taught me humility and reverence for life; some have
stirred my spirit and caused me to move in new and creative
directions.
Some blessings have come to me disguised in words of rebuke
and challenge, criticism and reprimand; and yet others cleanly
dressed as in the smile of a child or the glance of affirmation
from a friend.
The response of the leper demonstrates that he realized that
he was not the cause of his good fortune for he bowed down to
the ground in a moment of reverence and praise. His cry for
mercy had been answered with the bestowment of grace. And the
final word he heard was, “Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made
thee whole.”
As he experienced his exterior healing he realized that that
could not be the final goal, the final achievement of his cry
for mercy. As he moved away he experienced a change in his inner
spirit that enabled him to look beyond himself and beyond the
gift he had just received. His return was unrehearsed and
unplanned. It was the spontaneous move of one who had just
discovered “One” greater than any gift he could have received.
Blessings,
Chaplain Joe G. Jaime
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