Have you had a “Big Wake-Up Call” or “Light Bulb” moment(s) in your life?  Do you believe in such moments? When your perspective in life “changed forever”; Changed the way you think or viewed life after that?  When suddenly the things you used to consider important, the relationships you had and their significance in your life shifts, your values get overhauled, and the necessity, the importance,  of valuing what is truly important in life suddenly dawns. “9/11” in 2001 was such  a moment for many people.  Such moments make the person realise that they needed to pay more attention, appreciate and value more, the meaningful relationships in their lives and all the good things that have happened to them and the people in their life.  Things and people that they took for granted and didn’t fully appreciate before.  

Why wasn’t that such a moment for 9 out of the 10 people with leprosy that Jesus healed in our Gospel?  Why did only 1 who was healed, a Samaritan, turn back and praise God and thank Jesus? What did the others do?  Did they not feel grateful for their healing? Why wasn’t the first thing they did, once healed, say thank you and praise God for their healing? We don’t know the answers.  But is it not strange? Is it not sad?

Being grateful for family, friends, the good things that life has given you and put in our way.  Prioritise and appreciate those people who show an interest in your wellbeing, your future.  The people who look after you and care about what happens to you. Saying thank you and praise God that your life has such goodness and blessing in it. 

Deo Gratias.