Three Words of Wisdom

THE THANKFUL LEPER

Photo: R. Massaro(C)2011SpiritSinging
Loyola Retreat House Clinton, Ohio

"...As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him...When he saw them, he responded, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." On their way there they were cured. One of them, realizing that he had been cured, came back praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself on his face at the feet of Jesus and spoke his praises. This man was a Samaritan..."Were not all ten made whole? Where are the other nine?
(Luke 17:11-19)

How does praise and thanksgiving fit into our prayer life?  Are we a people, a soul, who is constantly asking for and receiving favors from the Lord. Do we remember to return and give thanks? Are we thankful for even the little gifts we take for granted?


As Secular Carmelites, let us be inspired by St. Therese of the Child Jesus who said "Everything is a grace." Yes, we should be very grateful to God for the many gifts he gives us.  If we are seeking first his kingdom, he truly does take care of our temporal needs. We can be very grateful for our family, friends, job, shelter, clothing, food, etc. We can be thankful for our health and the ability to see and hear and speak and read and understand things. Let us be most grateful for the great gift of faith. This is a precious gift we can take for granted, especially if our hearts have been converted for a long time.  Many people have the same information about Jesus Christ and his Church that we have, yet do not believe. Many people have the same information we have about Our Lady and the Sacraments, yet they do not believe. Many people do not understand that we can have an intimate friendship with Jesus Christ through prayer and the gift of contemplation. As Secular Carmelites, we should be most grateful that we have been called to a life of prayer and that the gift of prayer and a desire to be one with God has been placed deeply in our heart.

As Secular Carmelites, we are to give witness in the world of our gift of prayer. We must give witness to this life of intimate friendship with God.  One way we do this is by our daily reception of the Eucharist, which means, "thanksgiving."  Our Rule and Constitution call us to be a Eucharistic people. Yes, a people of thanksgiving!  Aha! Another challenge. Can we be grateful for not only the joys in life, but in the sorrows that life holds?  Are we able to find the hidden joy and peace of heart in accepting all that God sends us?  Are we able to give thanks for His will, even if it entails great suffering?  These are all challenges that faced the saints. If we are open to it, God will give us the same gift of possessing heroic virtue. 

The Secular Carmelite is called to pray and seek the face of God in prayer on behalf of the Church. Let us remember the "unchurched" as well, those who do not know God or love him. Let us thank him on behalf of those who do not thank him.  Let us love him for those who do not love him. Let us ask him to open their hearts to the gift of faith and love, the free gift that was given to us.  Perhaps someone prayed for us and our conversion. For this person, let us give thanks.

Let us ask God for the gift of self-knowledge, that he may reveal to us those faults and failings that make us unclean before him. However, let us seek him and implore him for mercy and healing, our one true remedy-Christ Our Lord, who is not afraid to touch the unclean leper, who has the power to make us a truly thankful people.


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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