Today’s Gospel reminds us of gratitude. Jesus heals 10 lepers, but only one returns to thank Him. „Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner.” I wondered once about what happened to the rest, who have not thanked, did their illness return? I am convinced that it didn’t. Our gratitude is not needed by God, it is necessary for ourselves, because it changes our view of the world – instead of evil, we begin to see good. I think all ten continued to enjoy good health, but only one was able to heal something more important – his soul. Perhaps this is why at the end, Jesus says to him, „Rise and go; your faith has healed you.” His belief that someone could do the impossible, converted his heart.
As shown in this short story, it is hard for us to be grateful even when miracles happen in our lives. And I believe that we can only be truly happy when we are able to give thanks in every situation. Even when we experience evil and injustice, only finding the tiny hidden good will make us happy.
With great concern and sadness I watched the last weeks of debate in Poland on a bill to tighten the abortion law. Both sides of the conflict were throwing mud at each other in the name of freedom and protecting life, understood differently. The worst, as always in such discussions, was a whole bunch of simplifications and lies told to back up one point of view. I want to believe that each party was fighting for something good, not only for their well-being or winning the case, but as usual it all ended up making everyone at odds with each other. For me the greatest good in this case happened on the side of the main discussion, because I saw people who lived with gratitude and not just any gratitude, but a heroic one.
These days I was reminded of thousands of parents who, in the privacy of their home, without cameras, give their whole life to children with disabilities. That is heroic gratitude for the life that has been entrusted to them. I also had the opportunity to read the story of a woman who has experienced the greatest tragedy of rape, but she was able to bring out the good out of the unimaginable evil. She decided to keep the baby and said: „I was harmed, nobody protected me, but I’m not going to let anyone hurt you! I will be with you always. Your mother.” This is heroic gratitude.
Let us not think, however, that gratitude or any other heroism can be imposed on anyone. We can force someone to say „thank you”, to smile, but we cannot force anyone to be grateful. Therefore, the only thing we can do is give an example of such heroism. Seek God and good everywhere – in the largest mess, among the greatest of wars, on the furthest periphery and maybe today especially in those who think differently.
