Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck
A reflection on the Gospel of Luke 17:11-19
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Let’s pause for a moment and acknowledge the love of God in our lives—love revealed through our Lord Jesus and lived out each day by the Spirit. When we truly recognize the Father’s love, gratitude naturally follows. We give thanks, praise, and glory because we know every good thing is a gift. These gifts aren’t just for us—they’re invitations to return to God and live in the grace and unity of the Holy Trinity.
The greatest gift is Jesus Himself. Not a distant figure, but our Lord, mentor, teacher, and friend. When we pray, read His Word, and share in the sacraments, we’re not just remembering Him—we’re with Him. If we quiet our hearts and listen, we might even hear Him say, “My son, my daughter, I love you so very much. Come be by my side, and together our hearts will be one with the Father and the Spirit.”
Gratitude in All Things: Chesterton’s Wisdom and the Gospel’s Call
G.K. Chesterton, a great Catholic writer, once reflected on gratitude. He wrote, “You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.” Chesterton’s point is simple: give thanks to God in all things, recognizing His gifts everywhere.
Today’s Gospel from Luke (17:11-19) is all about gratitude. Jesus, traveling toward Jerusalem, meets ten lepers—outcasts in desperate need. They cry out for mercy, and Jesus tells them to show themselves to the priests. As they go, they’re healed. But only one—a Samaritan, an outsider—returns, praising God and thanking Jesus. Jesus notices the absence of the other nine and tells the grateful man his faith has saved him.
The heart of this story is gratitude. All ten received healing, but only one recognized the deeper miracle of God’s mercy at work in his life. Jesus highlights not just the miracle, but the response. The man’s faith—his gratitude—saves him.
Gratitude: The Response That Deepens Our Relationship with God
Why does gratitude matter? It’s more than politeness. Gratitude is about relationship. When we thank God, we say, “I depend on You. Every good thing is Your gift.” The grateful leper shows us how to respond to God’s grace: open-hearted thanksgiving.
God’s greatest act of mercy is the gift of Jesus—His suffering, death, and resurrection. Through Him, we are healed from sin and brought into a new relationship with God. Gratitude is the only fitting response to the cross and resurrection. The Samaritan’s return foreshadows the Church’s response: faith, worship, thanksgiving.
In the Old Covenant, lepers went to the priests for cleansing. In the New Covenant, Jesus Himself is the source of healing. The Samaritan, an outsider, is welcomed—showing God’s mercy is for everyone, not just a chosen few. Thanksgiving is the mark of God’s new people. We are that people.
Discipleship as a Life of Gratitude: Welcoming Jesus Every Day
So what does it mean to live as disciples of Jesus? It’s not just about receiving blessings, but about seeing them, naming them, returning to Christ, and giving thanks. The nine who don’t return remind us how easy it is to receive God’s gifts and forget the Giver. True discipleship is living in a constant state of gratitude, aware of grace in all things.
How do we bring Jesus into our lives? It’s not a one-time event, but an ongoing process. Open the door to Him each day. Talk to Him honestly—prayer doesn’t need fancy words. Share your struggles, joys, questions, and doubts. Read the Gospels—let His words and actions shape you. Make time for silence; in the quiet, you may sense His peace or guidance. Find a faith community—we’re not meant to do this alone. Practice forgiveness—let go of old hurts, just as Jesus forgave. Live out love—look for ways to serve, show kindness, and stand up for the hurting. Receive the sacraments—especially the Eucharist and Confession—as tangible ways of receiving Jesus’ grace. And never be afraid to simply invite Jesus in: “Jesus, I want you in my life. Help me.” That honest prayer is powerful.
When we welcome Jesus, we start to see the world through the eyes of love, mercy, and hope. With the Holy Spirit’s help, gratitude becomes the rhythm of our days. We find ourselves giving thanks not just for big miracles, but for the ordinary gifts that fill our lives.
A Life of Wonder: Letting Gratitude Turn Every Moment into Praise
Chesterton wrote, “The world will never starve for want of wonders; but only for want of wonder.” When we let Christ’s Spirit work in us, we rediscover that wonder. Every breath, every meal, every struggle and joy becomes a reason for thanksgiving. Our lives become a hymn—a long act of praise and gratitude to God.
So go out and give thanks and praise to our LORD God, who fills our hearts with love and calls us to share that love with others. By doing so, we live as His children in His Kingdom, every day.
Amen.
About Our Guest Blogger
Saint Carlo Acutis once said, “Not me, but God.” His words echo deeply in my own spiritual life. This blog is not about me, but about the work of the Holy Spirit. I choose to remain anonymous because the voice behind these reflections isn’t what matters — the One speaking through them is.
I am a lifelong Catholic with a deep love for Scripture, the sacraments, and the quiet ways God speaks through everyday life. Live the Eucharist was born from my desire to share how the Gospel and the Eucharist shape not just my Sundays, but every step of the journey.
My hope is that these reflections bless you, challenge you, and draw you closer to Jesus — truly present in the Eucharist and profoundly present in your daily life.
