St. Joseph's Catholic Church

Gratitude that Heals the Heart

As Jesus journeyed to Jerusalem, ten lepers stood at a distance and cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

They were outcasts — sick in body, but even more wounded by rejection and loneliness. Yet in their pain, they still believed enough to call on Jesus.

Isn’t that often where faith begins?

Not in strength, but in weakness. Not when life is perfect, but when we finally realize we need mercy. Jesus hears them and tells them to “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” He doesn’t heal them on the spot. He asks them to take a step of faith — to walk in obedience before seeing the result. And as they go, they are cleansed. Healing comes in the journey of trust.

But the story does not end there.

Nine keep walking; one turns back.

A Samaritan — a foreigner — realizes that his healing is not complete until he returns to the Healer. He comes back, praising God, falls at Jesus’ feet, and gives thanks.

It is in that moment that Jesus says, “Your faith has saved you.”

Not just healed — saved. Gratitude opened a deeper door.

The others were made clean in body, but this one was made whole in spirit. Gratitude transformed his healing into communion — a relationship with the One who gave the gift.

How often are we like the nine?

We receive blessings daily — health, food, breath, family, forgiveness — yet we rush ahead, forgetting to return to say, “Thank you, Lord.” This week in the spirit of Thanksgiving we say -Thank you Lord.