Luke 17. Verses 11-19

This passage shows how deeply and easily men turn and cry for help from Jesus when they feel the need to do so.
When Jesus entered a village on the borders of Galilee and Samaria, the people obviously knew he was coming, so ten men afflicted with leprosy, the highly infectious disease, went to see him. Society had forced them out, and they were isolated from people. We are told they stood afar off, so were aware of their condition and respected other people’s concerns. They were expected to stand fifty yards away from people, so called out to Jesus for mercy and sought relief.

The behavior of the men causes to ask ourselves, why it is so few people turn to Jesus in prayer. A lot of people do indeed say prayers, possibly using a book of prayers, repeating the words, but not praying with their hearts in it. Men and women face death, with souls to be saved or lost without thinking of praying. The reason is they have full confidence of going to heaven as a matter of course. It has to be admitted the Church perpetuates such belief, and the funeral liturgy actually states so.

There is a general move away from the ethics of society in taking so much for granted without appreciation. This is particularly noticed in young people. Children are being brought up without being taught proper manners, and again take what is given without being told how to respond. Whereas it was once a feature of school teaching of social behavior, teachers have so many restrictions placed upon them by misguided social workers, it is leading to a future of selflessness. Respect for the elderly, of so much importance in the East, has faded.

There is a general move away from the ethics of society in taking so much for granted without appreciation. This is particularly noticed in young people. Children are being brought up without being taught proper manners, and again take what is given without being told how to respond. Whereas it was once a feature of school teaching of social behavior, teachers have so many restrictions placed upon them by misguided social workers, it is leading to a future of selflessness. Respect for the elderly, of so much importance in the East, has faded.

Let us learn to have a thankful heart and spirit which God loves to answer. The Apostle Paul was a very thankful man, and great men of the Church, John and Charles Wesley, Dwight Moody, Billy Graham, honorable men always blessing God. We must continue to make our prayers to God, but also make thanksgiving.

Thankfulness is a flower which will never bloom, except on a root of humility