The Lord bestowed a great gift upon these ten lepers who were found in our Gospel, but only one of them was willing to return to Him in order to give thanks. Likewise, our Blessed Lord has bestowed so many gifts upon us. We should not allow ourself to depart from here without first giving thanks for the many gifts that have been poured out upon us.
The word “Eucharist” comes from the Greek word “eucharisteo” which means “to give thanks.” I can think of no greater gift that can be bestowed upon us then the gift of the Eucharist. After all, the Eucharist, is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ our Lord. I do not say this in a symbolic way, but enforce the reality that Christ is truly present with us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.
When we have the opportunity to assist at the Holy Mass it is a common practice to arrive early in order to prepare oneself for what they are about to receive. Following the Holy Mass it is common practice to remain for a moment of prayer made in thanksgiving for the great gift that has been received. Again, what we receive here is not a symbol of God’s presence, but the reality of God’s presence. If we truly believe that the one who we encounter here is God made Flesh we would not rush into what we receive and we would not rush out the door without first giving thanks.
Nevertheless, what is often encountered is an attitude of rush. After all we are a society which is in rush to its next event. We never allow ourself to slow down. We are in a rush that the priest end Mass within the hour. We are in a rush that we be the be the first one out the door. With all of this rush of our everyday life it seems that the only rush that does not exist is being at Mass before it begins if one is to even come at all.
We must remember that lepersy separated one from the confines of the community. The only way for them to be reconciled with the community was that they be healed. Christ grants them this ability to be reconciled with the community. Of these ten only one is willing to stop and give thanks for the great gift which has been received.
This day as we behold our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion may we come to allow nothing on this earth to be more important then this encounter with our Lord. Through sin we have been hurt, but through Christ’s mercy we are reconciled and can live. Truly, through the Eucharist we receive a great gift that we should never take advantage of.
Therefore make frequent use of the Sacrament of Confession for this sacrament extends to the Eucharist. When we receive Christ in the Eucharist may we never be in a hurry, but come to contemplate fully the gift that we are about to receive. When we worthily receive our Lord in Holy Communion let us fall down in adoration and thanksgiving for the gift that we have received.
Let us join with this leper this day and fall down at the feet of Jesus and give Him thanks.
