💖 HOMILY - NOVEMBER 13 💖

First Reading - Titus 3:1-7

Gospel - Luke 17:11-19

In our daily lives, it’s easy to take things for granted, especially when they come to us in abundance or regularly. But today’s readings invite us to remember that everything we receive—our blessings, our talents, even our very life—comes as a gift from God, and they remind us to respond with gratitude and generosity.

In the first reading, Paul encourages Titus to remind the people to be obedient, gentle, and kind to everyone. He emphasizes that they should not forget where they came from. Before encountering Christ, they were “foolish, disobedient, and enslaved by passions and pleasures.” But through the mercy of God, they were saved—not because of their deeds, but because of His grace and love. This passage is a powerful reminder that all we have, especially our salvation, is a gift. It’s a gift that calls for humility, gratitude, and a willingness to extend that kindness to others.

In the Gospel, we hear the story of the ten lepers healed by Jesus, yet only one—a Samaritan—returns to give thanks. Jesus is moved by his gratitude, but He is also saddened by the lack of thanks from the others. This story highlights that gratitude is more than a polite gesture; it is a profound recognition of God’s grace at work in our lives. The leper who returns acknowledges that he received a gift he could never earn, and he gives glory to God in thanksgiving. His response shows that true faith recognizes and honors the source of all good things.

Dear friends, today’s readings invite us to live with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit open to God’s mercy. Just as Paul reminds us to be gentle and compassionate, showing kindness to others reflects our appreciation for the kindness we ourselves have received from God. And like the healed leper, let us not forget to return to God with a thankful heart, recognizing that everything we have and everything we are is because of His love for us.

Gratitude transforms our lives. It opens us to see God’s goodness, to appreciate the people around us, and to live joyfully. When we thank God and live responsibly, we become witnesses of His mercy to others. As we go about our daily lives, let’s remember to thank God continually, for He is the source of all that we have and all that we are.