Have you ever noticed that Jesus never says "please"? However, he does say "thank you": " 'Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me...' " (Jn 11: 41-42) At the pivotal moment of his earthly ministry Jesus likewise gives thanks. St Paul records: "For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks..." (1 Cor 11: 23-24) It is this action that gives the name "Eucharist" to what we do at Mass. Gratitude is central to Jesus' ministry. Hence, we can understand why Jesus asks the question: "But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" (Lk 17: 17-18) It is in the act of giving thanks that the Samaritan finds that his gratitude leads to further graces: "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well." (Lk 17: 19) The early Christian community was exhorted: "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in thanksgiving." (Col 4: 2) and: "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God." (Phil 4: 6) Let us likewise gives thanks with unfeigned hearts in our worship today so that we too may receive the graces that God wishes for us.
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