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by Rev. Fr. V.V. Paulose, Toronto, Canada
"One of the ten lepers who was healed, fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done." (Luke 17:16)
Jesus healed 10 lepers, but only one outcast
returned to thank him. Thanks is the most pleasing and rewarding word in the
English dictionary. All people cherish a word of thanks. A thankless man is more
venomous than the most venomous teeth of a cobra. Most of the western countries
have a thanksgiving day.
God does not demand that we thank him, but he is pleased when we do so. And he
uses our responses to shower more grace for us. St. Paul says we should always
carry our burdens to God with thanks and prayer.
The unique suffering God underwent for us on the cross should lead us to the
cross with thanks. This life is not enough for us to thank Jesus for his love on
the cross. Take the cross and follow Jesus. Mother Teresa said thanks for the
spit she got from a lady to whom she asked for help. Good to emulate.
In 1630's, a bubonic plague was sweeping the entire Europe, wiping out villages.
In a desperate plea to God, the villagers in Oberammergau in Bavaria, Germany
made a vow to God. If God spare them from the plague, the villagers would
perform a passion play every ten years. God did appear to protect the village.
Plague stopped. The passion Play production began and staged firstly in 1634.
Still they do the passion play every 10 years as a thanksgiving to God for His
protection of their village from the plague. In 2010 they did the last play with
more than 2400 performers. All performers are villagers. The role of Mary is
always played by an unmarried woman. Close to half a million people attend the
production, which is staged on an open-air theater seating 5,000.
Always say Thanks with consistency. Don’t forget to thank God before you do
anything.
Thank you Jesus for all your blessings. You save
us from all dangers ahead of us. Hold our hands and lead us to good pastures of
land. Be always thankful to all our brothers and sisters. Let us all grow as a
thankful child. All we ask in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
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