“And it came to pass as he was going to Jerusalem, that he was passing between Samaria and Galilee. And as he was entering a certain village, there met him ten lepers who stood afar off and lifted up their voice, crying, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us.’ And when he saw them he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And it came to pass as they were on their way, that they were made clean. But one of them, seeing that he was made clean, returned, with a loud voice glorifying God, and he fell on his face at [Jesus’] feet, giving thanks; and he was a Samaritan.
But Jesus answered and said, ‘Were not the ten made clean? But where are the nine? Has no one been found to return and give glory to God except this foreigner?’ And he said to him, ‘Arise, go thy way, for thy faith has saved thee.’”
- The Gospel of Luke, 17: 11 – 16
As we approach this national day of Thanksgiving, we are in turmoil within our borders and across the world. One cannot dispute that many within our human race – victims of war, persecution, hate, natural disaster, accident, famine, poverty, homelessness, disease, loneliness – might see little to feel thankful for. At the same time, I would respectfully submit that most of those who read these pages have much for which to give thanks. It is, regrettably, human nature to focus on the difficult, to take the good for granted — to be among the nine. Something happened recently that underscored for me that one should never lose sight of how precious and yet fleeting the gift of life can be, that one should never take his/her blessings for granted. On our national day of Thanksgiving, may each of us … be the one. May we pause to be thankful for all of our gifts, and hug all of the loved ones whose company we are blessed to share this Holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving.
McCoy's Noise 