A Grateful Heart

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus encounters ten lepers crying out for mercy. They call to him from a distance, not daring to draw near, and Jesus sends them to show themselves to the priests. As they go, they are healed. Yet only one turns back, praising God and falling at Jesus’ feet in gratitude. And this man, a Samaritan and a foreigner, hears the beautiful words: “Your faith has saved you.”

This story is about much more than physical healing; it’s about the posture of the heart. All ten received the same gift, but only one allowed that gift to awaken a deeper faith that recognizes the Giver behind the gift. Gratitude has a way of transforming us. When we pause to give thanks, we see more clearly how God is present in our lives, even in moments of struggle or waiting.

Perhaps we can see ourselves among the nine who went on their way, busy, relieved, grateful, but forgetting to return. Life moves fast, and it’s easy to focus on what still needs fixing rather than on what God has already done. The Samaritan reminds us that the road to holiness begins with thanksgiving. Gratitude opens the heart, deepens our trust, and draws us back into relationship with the Lord, who never tires of healing us.

This week, take a few moments each day to name the blessings in your life, the quiet and the obvious. Offer a simple prayer of thanks to God. Like the Samaritan, may we find ourselves healed and saved, our faith strengthened through the grace of a grateful heart.