THURSDAY.
Cure of the Ten Lepers.— II.
I. " And one of them, when he saw that he was cleansed, went back with a loud voice glorifying God." (Luke xvii. 15.) We ought always to be grateful to God for the benefits, which we receive from Him. " In all things," says the Apostle, " give thanks, for this is the will of God." (1 Thes. v. 13.) This thanksgiving is to be performed, in the first place, with a " loud voice," that is with great energy and affection. We must " glorify God," and with holy David, "extol His name." (Ps. xxxiii. 4.) We must besides, accompany all this with great humility, fall prostrate at the feet of our Lord, and acknowledge ourselves unworthy of His mercies and favors. "There can be no offering more grateful to God," writes St. Augustine, " than that of thanksgiving."
II. Of the ten lepers, who were cured, only one returned. " There is no one found to return," said Christ on the occasion, "and give glory to God, but this stranger." (Luke xvii. 18.) Reflect how many thousands there are, whom God daily preserves and feeds, and who do not acknowledge the benefit. They eat their food, like irrational creatures, without raising their minds or hearts to heaven. " I have brought up children," says God by His prophet, " and exalted them, but they have despised me." (Is. i. 2.) These consider themselves as inhabitants and sons of the earth, and believe that they possess here, "a settled habitation;" but do you on the contrary consider yourself a stranger and pilgrim in the world. Then you will easily acknowledge God's gifts, and all His favors bestowed on you.
