The Giftedness of Our Existence

The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture (semicontinuous)

Old Testament: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

Psalter: Psalm 66:1-12

Epistle: 2 Timothy 2:8-15

Gospel: Luke 17:11-19

Scripture (complementary)

Old Testament: 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c

Psalter: Psalm 111

Epistle: 2 Timothy 2:8-15

Gospel: Luke 17:11-19

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Prayer

Lord God, Wholeness of the sick and Home of the exile, give us grace to seek the well-being of those among whom we live, so that all people may come to know the healing of your love and new voices join to give you thanks in Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Reflection

He prostrated himself at Jesus’s[b] feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? So where are the other nine? Did none of them return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well ” (Luke 17:16-19).

Recently I was ill for a few days. I hate laying around. I have always found it difficult to lounge around for very long. Laying by the swimming pool is not my vision of retirement. I do enjoy sitting on the beach, but I find that difficult to do for any length of time without a reading a good book on theology.

In any case, for the couple of days that I was too sick to sit up for any length of time to do much of anything, and for the few things I did do because I had to and made myself worse afterward, I am very grateful to be feeling better so that now I can attend to those things that I need to do, which I also enjoy doing.

A brief illness is always a reminder to me of the giftedness of our existence, whether that gift comes in the form of good health or the ability to complete the tasks before us or those around us who care for us in times of need. Life is a gift and all the good things that accompany life are also gifts.

And those gifts are not ends in and of themselves. Life's giftedness is for the glory of God and is intended to point to the God who has gifted us in more ways than we can possibly imagine. Moreover, such gifts are to be used on behalf of others. To use our gifts only for ourselves is to demonstrate a lack of gratitude to the God who has spared no expense for us in bringing redemption to us.

The leper who returned to thank Jesus was under no obligation to do so. They nine who left to show themselves to the priest were only following Jesus’ instructions. Gratitude cannot be required; it must come from within.

Life is a journey; enjoy it. Life is a gift; use it to gift others for the glory of God… and be grateful.

PRAYER: In your love, O God of hosts, your people find healing. Grant that the pains of our journey may not obscure the presence of Christ among us, but that we may always give thanks for your healing power as we travel on the way to your kingdom. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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