The importance of saying, "Thank you!"

The story is familiar to those who have read the Bible. It is found in Luke 17:11-19.
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"
When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"
Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
The lesson is obvious and simple. Ten lepers, social outcasts unwelcome in a healthy society and reduced to begging because of their medical condition, called out to Jesus in desperation. Jesus represented their only hope. Their condition was otherwise terminal. Human contact was forbidden. All bridges back to home, neighborhood and employment were destroyed by the dread disease.

But Jesus came by and healed them! Cleansed! Restored! As good as new, the ten ran off to have their healing and status in society validated by the temple priests. And then, one returned shouting appreciation and praise. Throwing himself at Jesus’ feet the Samaritan said, "Thank you!" Twice pushed to the perimeter of society, because of leprosy and ethnicity (Samaritans were ostracized and despised by the Jews.) The good man’s understanding of Jesus’ gift of healing was doubled. He was whole and accepted by Jesus, God’s Son.

Ingratitude seems to be in revival mode. A society intoxicated with a glut of entitlements has dulled the edge where grace and generosity are intended to whet the edge of our spirits. Pat and I have made contributions to people and projects we deem worthy of our support. The stature of those to whom we give is often reinforced with simple and sincere "Thank yous," a card, a note or phone call. But too often we have heard nothing. In my most charitable moment I think, "They are busy." But, too often, I think those whom we have helped think that they are entitled to our support and go off to the next donor.

Saying, "Thank you!" is too important to be forgotten. Luke points out that the man was a Samaritan, drawing a contrast with the "I-have-it-coming" politically and socially correct in society. The lesson is, "The Samaritan spirit is to be envied, and copied!"

Thank you for reading my occasional efforts to write. Thank you for being friends. Thank you for allowing me to see the great and generous grace of God in you. Saying, "Thank you!" is good for a man’s spirit.