Gratitude – A Reflection

As I consider the story of the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus in Luke 17:11-19 and the Samaritan who returned to give thanks to Jesus for his healing, there is a lesson for me about gratitude for Christ’s guidance along the pathway of life.

These words of Thomas Merton speak to me about being thankful and grateful.

To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us – and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.
Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful man knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference. (Thoughts in Solitude, p. 33)