October 9.  28th Sunday of Year C. Thanksgiving. To highlight the point he wanted to make relating to the gospel of the day Fr Pius asked everyone to think about something for which they should be grateful but had not said thank you for.  The people sat quietly, some, even some children, looking a bit sheepish.  “What do you suppose happened with the lepers that Jesus healed and that didn’t come back to thank him? I’m sure he didn’t “unheal” them.  Gratitude is such a wonderful gift to give to others and yet we do neglect it quite often. Parents especially do so much for their children but at times, possibly later on in life, it might become the other way round. Why not make it your special reflection today to go and say thanks to each one for something. But do your best to be sincere, recognising it as is a special gift”.  

Scripture:  One of them when he saw he was healed turned back, praising God with a loud voice and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet giving him thanks.  Now he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:11-19.   Pope Francis: Good habits need to be developed.  A person may be sociable and open to others but if over a long period of time he has not been trained by his elders to say, “Please,”, “thank you” and “sorry” his good interior disposition will not easily come to the fore.   AL266.  In the family we learn to ask without demanding, to say, “thank you” as an expression of genuine gratitude for what we have been given, to control our aggressivity and greed and to ask forgiveness when we have caused harm.  LS 213.