Beloved in Christ,
Faith and gratitude are the underlying themes in this Sunday's reading. The lepers in both the first and Gospel reading show us how to express our living faith in God in acts of thanks, praise and worship. The only leper out of the ten healed who returned to Jesus illustrates for us the simple but profound act of faith. The lepers asked Jesus for mercy, meaning they sought to be healed of their leprosy. Jesus instructed them to go and show themselves to the priest. They responded in faith. In the Old Testament (See Leviticus 13 and 14), a leper returns to the priest only after he has been healed to be examined and certified clean. These lepers trusted the healing words of Jesus, his command that they show themselves to the priest. "As they were going they were cleansed." As they went to do as Jesus instructed them, they were cleansed by the words of Jesus. The lepers act in living faith, a faith that saves. They recognize the person and power of Jesus to do what he says. That explains why they addressed Jesus as Master- the Lord of life.
The act of faith is required to experience God's mercy. God always wants to heal us spiritually and physically, but the prerequisite is a total trust in God. It is a disposition of surrender to God's loyalty and dependency. God is always faithful. It is that simple and should not be complicated. We must assent to his living words, and in our belief in his majesty and mercy, we do receive healing on our journey.
As we continue to contemplate the themes of faith and gratitude to God, I leave you with the following questions for reflection: Are we learning how to thank the Lord? Do we recognize in praise, thanksgiving and worship the gift of mercy God constantly bestows upon us? What are the conditions in our lives today that require God's mercy? What kind of faith do we have in Jesus and his power to bestow the graces of healing upon us? When we receive God's mercy —and we do receive it every day —what do we do next? Are we filled with thanks and praise? Do we show our gratitude in worship? The Holy Eucharist is the most excellent form of thanks, praise, and worship of God because it is Christ himself who is offered and offers thanks to God. Do we attend mass as frequently as possible as an opportunity to return gratitude to God for his mercy?
With gratitude to God for the gift of a long and blessed life of faith, we celebrate Joseph Fliss' centenary today after the 10:30 am Mass.
Behold! A conference for the family of God is scheduled for October 18th. Have you registered? Please register today.
The priests of our diocese of Harrisburg begin their annual workshop today and return on Friday. Please keep us in your prayers.
Fr. Alayode, OP
Faith and gratitude are the underlying themes in this Sunday's reading. The lepers in both the first and Gospel reading show us how to express our living faith in God in acts of thanks, praise and worship. The only leper out of the ten healed who returned to Jesus illustrates for us the simple but profound act of faith. The lepers asked Jesus for mercy, meaning they sought to be healed of their leprosy. Jesus instructed them to go and show themselves to the priest. They responded in faith. In the Old Testament (See Leviticus 13 and 14), a leper returns to the priest only after he has been healed to be examined and certified clean. These lepers trusted the healing words of Jesus, his command that they show themselves to the priest. "As they were going they were cleansed." As they went to do as Jesus instructed them, they were cleansed by the words of Jesus. The lepers act in living faith, a faith that saves. They recognize the person and power of Jesus to do what he says. That explains why they addressed Jesus as Master- the Lord of life.
The act of faith is required to experience God's mercy. God always wants to heal us spiritually and physically, but the prerequisite is a total trust in God. It is a disposition of surrender to God's loyalty and dependency. God is always faithful. It is that simple and should not be complicated. We must assent to his living words, and in our belief in his majesty and mercy, we do receive healing on our journey.
As we continue to contemplate the themes of faith and gratitude to God, I leave you with the following questions for reflection: Are we learning how to thank the Lord? Do we recognize in praise, thanksgiving and worship the gift of mercy God constantly bestows upon us? What are the conditions in our lives today that require God's mercy? What kind of faith do we have in Jesus and his power to bestow the graces of healing upon us? When we receive God's mercy —and we do receive it every day —what do we do next? Are we filled with thanks and praise? Do we show our gratitude in worship? The Holy Eucharist is the most excellent form of thanks, praise, and worship of God because it is Christ himself who is offered and offers thanks to God. Do we attend mass as frequently as possible as an opportunity to return gratitude to God for his mercy?
With gratitude to God for the gift of a long and blessed life of faith, we celebrate Joseph Fliss' centenary today after the 10:30 am Mass.
Behold! A conference for the family of God is scheduled for October 18th. Have you registered? Please register today.
The priests of our diocese of Harrisburg begin their annual workshop today and return on Friday. Please keep us in your prayers.
Fr. Alayode, OP
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