Humble Thanksgiving

Step #1: Lectio / Read

Click the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text. 

Luke 17:11-19

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Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

Gratitude. Thankfulness. Appreciation. Recognition. Acknowledgement. Indebtedness. Obligation. 

All of these can be used to describe an outward flowing emotion from one individual to another. They express an understanding that something of value has been given to the person feeling the sentiment. They are warm and kind feelings. They are focused not on the self, but wholly on the other. They are all rooted in a spirit of thanksgiving.

This is the message of today’s Gospel from Luke. So many times and in so many ways Jesus is thanked for the loving and merciful deeds He performs while traveling with the Apostles. All of these expressions of gratitude come from people who recognize the gifts that Jesus has bestowed on them, and they are truly thankful. They pour out their appreciation on Him because they recognize He has done something truly great for them. For the moment, they are able to forego themselves and experience the joyfulness that arises from the unselfish appreciation of others.
In this way, Jesus is doubly blessing those He helps.

But we also see today that the opportunity for appreciation is sometimes lost on those who do not recognize the gifts given to them. Jesus heals ten lepers, and sends them out. On their way, one of them is struck with gratitude for what Jesus has done, and cannot help but return to pour out his appreciation. This man comprehends that Jesus has blessed him. Unfortunately, the other nine who were healed, for whatever reasons, do not get to the point where humility prompts them to grasp the true nature of the gift Jesus has given them. They are surely happy they have been healed, but are not able to arrive at the ultimately more rewarding temperament that genuine thankfulness for another’s charity produces.

Take time in your lives to recognize the countless gifts that God has given you. Give thanks to Him always. Like the single leper, turn yourselves back to Jesus and pour out your gratitude without any limits. God bestows upon us countless gifts. Let gratitude reign in our lives, so that we may love Him all the more because of it.

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Step #3: Oratio / Pray

These questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today.

Are you truly thankful for all the gifts God has given you? How can you be more thankful?

Why do you think the 9 never came back to thank God? How often do we come up with excuses to not give God all the glory and praise?

​Who else in your life should you express your thanks to more?

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Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.

"Thank You Jesus."

"I love You, Lord."

"All Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit."

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Step #5: Actio / Act

In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today?

Spend more time thanking God in prayer today than asking. Bring Him all your wants and needs, but thank Him first, and find more to be thankful for than you ask for.

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Smartphone Lock Screen

The following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.

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Today's prayer was prepared by Jim Lundgren, a parishioner at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Crystal Lake, IL.