Fr. Jerry M. Orbos once revealed
his encounter with the late Speaker Ramon Mitra who faced cancer before his
death. He said Ramon Mitra told him, “I cannot ask for more. I have been
blessed much. I have done my very best. I have forgiven all who hurt me, and I have
asked for forgiveness for my offenses. I’m ready to face my God. I shall be
with Him soon…”
This experience of Fr. Orbos with
Mitra would remind us of the Gospel of Luke 17: 11-19. Among the ten lepers
whom Jesus healed, only one went back to give him thanks while praising God. Jesus
wondered then where were the other nine. It seems gratitude or giving thanks is
very difficult to do for most people who have received favor from God or their
fellowmen. For people who show ingratitude, they think it is important that they
already get what they want. If they cannot get what they want for free, they
may offer to pay the price for it. They forget there are things which money
cannot buy, and for things freely given only a word of thanks can satisfy.
Gratitude is an act of recognition
that one cannot depend solely on himself/herself and he/she needs the help or
favor from someone. Proud people do not do this. They think they deserve
everything that is good, they seldom ask for help and so they are not used to give
thanks to people or even to God.
Being grateful is a virtue. Only a
humble person who believes that everything is grace can give thanks. Only a
person who receives kindness which he/she thought he/she does not deserve though
he/she needs it, can give thanks to God. Now, can we give God our thanks?
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