First Day (Feb. 9, 2004): FAITH LEADS YOU TO WHOLENESS

"And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God; and he fell upon his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said 'were not the ten cleansed'? But where are the nine? Were there none found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger? And he said unto him, arise, and go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole ." (Lk. 17: 15)

Reflection: Life is transformed in thanksgiving. The man with the Hansen's disease (Leprosy) thanked Jesus profusely for what the Lord had done. He acknowledged the healing with thanksgiving. Jesus was immensely pleased with his faith in Him

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have, into enough and more, it turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order and confusion into clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes a sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow" - Melody Beattle.

The children must constantly return to their Father with grateful hearts. He will transform us. He will give us health and happiness. The best thanks we can give him, is to try to deserve his goodness and his mercy a little better.

We remember these words of the Prophet Jonah: "I called to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me. You brought up my life from the pit. When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to thee. With the voice of thanksgiving, I will sacrifice to thee. Deliverance belongs to thee."

Questions for reflections:

1. " Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits " (Ps. 103, 2)

Do I remember His benefits?

2. How can I turn my life as an act of thanksgiving?

Prayer of the Faithful

Concluding Prayer