TWENTY EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, OCT 13, 2013

Written by Fr. Fitz Thursday, 10 October 2013 12:24

I stepped back in line the other day to let two working girls on their noon break ahead of me. No big deal ... but neither said thanks. Today in the Gospel Jesus had nine!
Should I have expected thanks? No.

 

To expect is to feel we have earned something by a kind act.

The reward in giving is the joy of giving.
After the ingratitude of the nine, Jesus did not stop healing.
He continued to keep spreading JOY IN THE GIVING AND THE RECEIVING.

IF THE RECIPIENTS OF GIFTS SHOW NO GRATITUDE IT IS THEIR LOSS, NOT THE GIVER'S.

And don't you hate it if you give an unexpected gift and the recipient says,
"Oh! How can I pay you back!"

The picture above I snapped Oct. 5 at Lake Washington in Seattle at the wake of my cousin Carolyn.
In her lifetime, she could have had this view daily.
There is a sunset near you every day. Have you noticed?

To have a gratitude attitude is to live joyfully
The word "enjoy" comes from "joy in being."
Rabbi Heschel sums up what this means when he writes:

"JUST TO BE IS A BLESSING. JUST TO LIVE IS HOLY,"

Breakfast Question: To whom in my life can I give a gift of joy this week?
Personal Reflection: What are some simple things I am grateful for?