Luke 17:17-18
Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?"
Today is Thanksgiving Day, the day in which the United States gives thanks to God for the blessings bestowed on our country. Like many of our holidays, we often get so wrapped up in the celebratory nature and planning of events that we forget the meaning. Back in the day (hundreds of years ago), Christians had what we call 'feast days' where we celebrated the life of someone heroic and virtuous in the Church. The faithful would have a celebration or feast. Those feast days still exist but most people don't do much feasting or celebrating. Even Christmas and Thanksgiving have lost some of their prayerful side over the last hundred years. How many people do you think you'll see at church on Thanksgiving or Christmas day? I'd bet not many. Christmas Eve is packed at many churches, but day of, not so much. So much of the consumer-driven culture we live in has transformed Thanksgiving, turning Thanksgiving into a day to kick off the shopping season from where it was intended…a day to give thanks to God. Jesus felt this even in his day as expressed in today's reading. After cleansing of the 10 lepers, only one returned to thank Jesus. It was only that one who was saved by faith. This Thanksgiving, don't be one of the 9, be the one thankful. Use today to meditate for a few minutes on all of the things in life you are thankful for…including life itself. Your faith will save you!
