St. John XXIII: A Life of Thanksgiving
Dear Parish Family,
This Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 17:11–19) tells the story of the ten lepers healed by Jesus but only one of them, a Samaritan, comes back to give thanks. Jesus notices this and asks, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?” Gratitude, it seems, is not only good manners, it’s an act of faith. The one who returned didn’t just say thank you; he praised God and fell at Jesus’ feet. His thanksgiving became worship.
This story reminds us that thanksgiving is more than a response to blessings; it is a way of life for a disciple of Christ. St. Paul’s words ring true: “In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
As we celebrate the feast of our parish patron, St. John XXIII, on October 11, we remember a man whose life was marked by simple, sincere gratitude. In the midst of great responsibilities as pope, he kept a humble heart. He would often say, “See everything, overlook a lot, correct a little.” He trusted God deeply, and his joy and kindness flowed from a thankful spirit. Even in the face of illness and difficult decisions, he kept a heart rooted in trust and thanksgiving. He once said, “I am just a humble servant of the Lord, and I thank Him every day for His goodness to me.” His diary, Journal of a Soul, is filled with prayers of thanksgiving, even for small things. He often said, “I never met a pessimist who made the world better.”
At the heart of our faith is the Eucharist, a word which literally means “thanksgiving.” Every time we gather for Mass, we come—like that one leper—to praise God and give thanks. No matter what we are going through in life, the Mass invites us to pause, to remember God’s goodness, and to respond with grateful hearts. In doing so, we are healed in ways we may not even realize.
As we honor St. John XXIII and reflect on the Gospel this week, I encourage you to make the Sunday Eucharist a true prayer of thanksgiving. Come with open hearts. Offer your joys, your burdens, your whole self to the Lord—and let Him make you whole.
As we reflect this week, let us ask ourselves:
When was the last time I paused to truly thank God—from the heart?
How can I make the Sunday Mass a more intentional act of thanksgiving in my life?
How can I live each day more intentionally as a response of gratitude to God?
With prayers and thanksgiving for all of you,
Fr. Sunil Kumar Pallela