Homily   28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time   October 10, 2004

 

 

Winston Churchill loved to tell the story of the little boy who fell off a pier into a deep ocean water. An older sailor, heedless of the great danger to himself, dove into the stormy water, struggled with the boy, and finally, exhausted brought him to safety.  Two days later the boy’s mother came with him to the same pier, seeking the sailor who rescued her son.  Finding him, she asked, “You dove into the ocean to bring my boy out?”

“I did,” he replied.

The mother quickly demanded, “Then where’s his hat?”

 

 

We reflect on real gratitude today.

Jelaluddin Rumi, the Sufi seer and poet tells us that we are guests on the great, good Earth, and our every breath should be one of gratitude to the Host.  The medieval Christian mystic Meister Eckhart suggests that if the only prayer we say in out lifetime is ”thank you,” that would suffice.

 

Saying thank you to the Great provider is only one part of a life of gratitude.  Another side is revealed by Protestant preacher Elton Trueblood:  “I find that the one thing which I want to put into practice in my own life is the conscious and deliberate habit of finding somebody to thank.” Say thank you to somebody who least expects it from you today.

 

Gratitude paid to all around us becomes a spiritual exercise.  Show gratitude to the music that enchants, to the winter boots that stand up to the wear and tear of the elements, to the movie that brings tears to your eyes.

 

“All of us have experienced times in our lives that were so precious and special that if it were possible we would have had time stand still so that we might live that moment forever.  A good time is a taste of God,” affirms John Aurelio, a Catholic priest.

 

Feast on the moments that stand out in your mind as precious enough to replay again and again.  Now repeat the mantra:  “A good time is a taste of God.”

 

In the Word of God for this Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time we do have some reflections on gratitude.

 

Naaman, in our first reading from the Book of Kings was a powerful Man. And he is a Syrian. When he is afflicted by leprosy he seeks a cure – and pulls out all the stops. He had power – he had resources at his command.  But when nothing works it is suggested that he consult with the foreign prophet of Israel – Elisha. He was expecting Elisha to do something dramatic – to call down the heavens or invoke some power – but Elisha simply tells him to travel to the River Jordon and wash in it. Naaman isn’t happy. What’s wrong with the rivers in his land?  Why would he go among foreigners to get better?  Naaman was- he thought- in control. Nothing – he figures – is bigger than him.  He thought he could buy, barter and cajole what he wants. However,eventually, because he is desperate, he does what the prophet suggests – and of course he is healed – he is new.  And even then he wants to buy it.

But eventually the healed and new Naaman - as a result of this healing – realizes that he is the recipient of something – that he is gifted by goodness – that he is on the receiving end of blessing. That’s a posture that is new to him.  And it makes all the difference. Because he never wants to forget that this God who heals him is so good he desires to take some of the earth from this land of this good God and transport it to his land so that he won’t forget who is good, who is blessing him , who is present. Naaman wants continually to taste God. Naaman who once thought that he was in control of all can now give thanks day after day for the God who loves and heals him.

 

 

And of course in the Gospel we have the familiar story of the ten who are healed of leprosy – and the one who recognizes that he has been blessed The gospel writer, Luke, talks to us not only about the need to give thanks – to realize that we are blessed – to, as the Hasidic teacher Rebbe Nachman suggests – put everything into its proper place and perspective by our gratitude for what we have been given – Luke also helps us to look at where our attitude of gratefulness comes from.  Why did the other nine not return? There were just as cured. I’m sure they were just as thrilled.  I’m sure they were glad to put that horrible disease behind them and continue on with their life but perhaps Luke is once again making a point that too often those of us who are secure – and the community that Jesus addressed often acted as if they had it made – think we are entitled to blessing. We can act so often that because we are good – we don’t do terrible things – because we go to Church, attempt to raise our families well – even give some alms to the poor and do all sorts of other good things – we deserve to be blessed, healed, whole. Its like God has nothing to do with it – its our merit because of who we are.

 

But Jesus turns it around, as Jesus always does, and reminds us in so many places that we are to change our posture and attitude and realize that we are on the receiving end of God’s blessing and goodness toward us.

 

Perhaps, as has been suggested by experience, it is the poorest of the poor –the sickest of the sick, the most in need that realize even in the midst of their hardship that they are blessed anyway – that they appreciate the smallest gift – that the sunrise means so much – that the smallest bird outside the window is a gifted messenger of the creator – that the smile of stranger is a beam of warmth. It is a posture – perhaps the most vital one.

 

Again Jelaluddin Rumi tells us:

 

For sixty years I have been forgetful,

Every minute, but not for a second

Has this flowing toward me stopped or slowed.

I deserve nothing. Today I recognize

That I am the guest the mystics talk about.

I play this living music for my host.

Everything today is for the host.

 

Let us feast this day on how our God is blessing us. Let us know that al our blessings are a taste of God – our host.

 

Let us give thanks.