Father Jim’s homily reflects deeply on the theme of gratitude as a core expression of Christian life and well-being. He begins by recalling his 25th anniversary as a priest, marked by a pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Each day of his walk became an act of thanksgiving, as he reflected on each year of his priesthood — remembering the people, lessons, and moments that shaped his journey. This experience filled him with profound gratitude to God, reminding him that thanksgiving is not just a personal sentiment but a central part of being Christian — a recognition of God’s generosity in all things, both great and small.
Drawing on the Gospel story of the ten lepers, Father Jim emphasizes that Jesus praises the one man who returns to give thanks. Gratitude, he says, is simple yet transformative — a virtue even children can understand. However, in today’s culture of entitlement and complaint, the practice of gratitude can easily be neglected. He urges believers to reclaim this virtue as essential to their faith, noting that gratitude not only draws us closer to God but also nurtures mental and emotional well-being. In times when people seek solutions for anxiety or depression, Father Jim highlights that spiritual practices like gratitude journaling or naming daily blessings are both ancient Christian traditions and proven pathways to mental health.
Father Jim also explores how gratitude leads us beyond ourselves. It shifts our focus from our own worries to others and ultimately to God, the source of all good gifts. He observes that even simple expressions of thanks — to a bus driver, shop assistant, or family member — lift us out of self-centeredness and open us to grace. When we recognize blessings like sunlight, the earth, and the gift of life itself, gratitude naturally turns into worship. For Christians, this culminates in the Eucharist, the highest form of thanksgiving, where believers give thanks for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and God’s gift of eternal life.
Finally, Father Jim invites everyone to adopt the simple practice of saying grace before meals as a daily act of gratitude and justice. In a fast-paced world where meals are rushed or eaten alone, pausing to give thanks reconnects us with creation, those who grew and prepared the food, and those who go hungry. This small act fosters awareness, compassion, and a sense of shared humanity. He closes with the traditional prayer — “Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts…” — encouraging all to add personal words of thanksgiving for God’s abundance and a heartfelt prayer for those in need. Through gratitude, Father Jim reminds us, we not only grow in joy and peace but also draw closer to God and one another.
Journal and reflect on the following
1. Gratitude and Memory When you look back over your own life, what experiences or people are you most grateful for, and how have they shaped your faith journey?
2. The Example of the One Leper Why do you think only one of the ten healed lepers returned to thank Jesus? What does this reveal about human nature and true discipleship?
3. Gratitude in Daily Life How can you practice gratitude in simple, everyday moments — such as interacting with others, eating meals, or noticing creation around you?
4. Gratitude and Mental Health Father Jim mentioned that gratitude supports good mental health. How have you experienced gratitude as a source of peace, healing, or renewal in your own life?
5. Eucharist as Thanksgiving Since “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving,” what does this understanding add to how you approach Mass and the act of receiving Communion?
6. Gratitude and Justice How can being truly thankful for what we have inspire us to work toward justice for those who have less — such as the hungry, lonely, or poor?
7. Practicing Grace Before Meals How might saying grace before meals — even silently when alone — help you become more mindful of God’s presence and more connected to others?Discuss
Song - Gratitude
Final Prayer
Loving and generous God, we thank You for the countless blessings that fill our lives — for the gift of faith, for the people who walk beside us, and for the simple joys of each new day. Teach us to be like the one who returned to give thanks, seeing Your hand at work in all things. May our hearts overflow with gratitude, not only in words but in actions that reflect Your love. As we share meals, celebrate the Eucharist, and encounter others, help us to pause, remember, and give thanks for Your goodness. May gratitude draw us ever closer to You and inspire us to bring compassion and justice to all we meet. Amen.
