12/10/2025
HOMILY FOR 28TH SUNDAY IN YEAR C
REV FR. ANTHONY ADETAYO
When Jesus healed the ten lepers, His reaction wasn't primarily joy over the one who returned to thank Him, but rather disapproval of the nine ungrateful ones. Gratitude shouldn't be a surprising act; it should be the normal response. An African proverb warns, "An ungrateful person is worse than a thief."
Lessons from the Readings 📖
• In the first reading, Naaman was healed of both physical leprosy and spiritual paganism, immediately demonstrating his newfound faith by seeking out Elisha to show thanks.
• St. Paul, in the second reading, models gratitude despite enduring criticism and persecution, encouraging his communities to cultivate serenity and joy.
• The Gospel highlights the reality of leprosy, a terrible, isolating disease that cut people off from society. The ten lepers cried out from a distance, "Jesus, teacher, have mercy on us." They received their healing, yet only one Samaritan returned.
The Neglect of Thankfulness 😔
We often approach God in prayer with complaints about our situation like the current economic hardships in Nigeria and grumble if answers aren't immediate. Yet, we have so many reasons for which to be grateful: the gift of life, our relationships, our health, our talents, the beauty of nature. A dead person cannot enjoy any of these blessings.
Thankless people often lack genuine faith, a testimony of God's work, and contentment. In contrast, Solomon's gratitude led God to grant him any request. St. Ambrose asserts, "No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks."
Proper Worship and Abundance 🌟
Jesus deserves proper worship and thanksgiving. While godly men in the Bible reject worship, Jesus never rebuked anyone for worshipping Him. It was the right thing to do. Ephesians 5:20 instructs us to "Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
An eloquent testimony from a Civil War soldier illustrates this:
I asked for strength, health, riches, and power, but was made weak, given infirmity and poverty, and ultimately felt the need of God. I got nothing that I had asked for, but everything that I had hoped for.
Let's praise and thank God today, for He is willing to give us not just what we ask, but abundantly more through Christ our Lord.
Happy Sunday!
