Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?” –Luke 17:17

Nakakapagtaka na pati ba naman ang bilang ng pinagaling ay talagang alam ni Hesus: “di ba sampu kayo? nasaan ang siyam? There seems to be a deeper meaning behind that message. It suggests that Jesus was sad as He was expecting that they will return and thank Him for it. Hindi kaya ito ang naging dahilan bakit minsan sinasabi na ni Hesus kapag nagpapagaling sya ulet, “Don’t let anybody know about this healing…” Hindi kaya nadala na Siya at nagsawa na sa kawalan ng utang na loob ng marami?

In the book of Leviticus 13:45-46, sinasabi na kung ang sinoman may sakit na ketong ay habang buhay na ihihiwalay sa karamihan. They will be outcast and will live humiliated for the rest of their lives. Kumbaga, ang pagkakaroon ng ganitong sakit at habang buhay na sentensya. Sila ay hindi pwedeng maki socialise sa mga tao dahil sila ay may sakit na nakakadiri, mabaho at walang kagamutan. Dyan na sila mamamatay.

[insert here the story of an ungrateful lion]

Balikan natin ang Luke 17: 11-13  “On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”

Etong mga may ketong ang humingi ng tulong: “Hesus, Panginoon, maawa po kayo sa amin.”  Ang Panginoon naman sa maawain, ay nagbigay ng panahon at ‘naawa’ nga sa kanila. Pero anong naging kapalit? pagiging kawalan ng pagpapasalamat ng mga tao – matapos makuha ang gusto nawala ng parang bula!

Disappointed si Hesus na hindi na bumalik ang siyam upang magpasalamat  kahit gumaling na sila. Dito malalaman natin gusto gusto ng Diyos na nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga bagay na ginagawa nya sa ating buhay.

Maraming mga ganito ngayon. Dati-dati halos lumuhod, magmakaawa dahil walang-wala, pero noong nagkaroon at gumanda ng konte ang buhay, hindi na marunong lumingon sa mga taong nagpala.

Ang iba ayaw na bumili ng regalo sa mayayaman kase mayaman na daw. Have you heard of the Christmas song:

Even the man who has everything
Would be so happy if you would bring
Give love on Christmas Day

It’s not the price but it’s the thought that counts.

There was a saying:

There is a special place in my heart to those who were with me at my lowest and loved me when I wasn’t loveable.

Do we thank those who took time to listen to our story? Do we get back to those who lend us a helping hand when nobody cares?

Never forget those who were there for you when you needed them. Thank them for being part of your journey. Hindi man nila kargo, pero nakihati sa iyo, nakisama sa iyo at naging bahagi sila ng buhay mo. Despite their busy schedule, they find time to forget what they do just to be with you. Be grateful to those who were there when nobody cares.

Being grateful is a virtue than even God wants us to go back and thank him.

In Genesis 35:3: “Afterwards, we’ll go to Bethel. I will build an altar there for God, who answered my prayers when I was in trouble and who has always been at my side.”

Matuto tayo magpasalamat. Yon lang naman ang maibibigay natin dahil hindi naman natin kayang bayaran lagi ang mga nagawa sa atin. Be grateful to everything God has done for you.