In today’s Gospel, Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one returns to thank him. In the first reading when Naaman is cured of leprosy he is so grateful he wants to give a big gift. Leprosy was an incurable and isolating condition. It was a big deal. Of the ten who were healed, only one came back to thank him. And that one was a foreigner, a Samaritan. Jesus wonders why the others didn’t return. Were they not grateful? This was seriously a big deal. And why did the foreigner come back, not his own countrymen? He might have expected his own people to show their gratitude, and might have thought the stranger would not. They had all asked for healing. When he passed they cried out to him to have pity on them. They called him by name. They called him Master. They were asking specifically for a favor. But then when they received it, they did not give thanks, they just went on their way.

When I teach World Literature, I teach the French classic Candide. In the novel, Candide finds himself in El Dorado, a Utopia set apart from the rest of the world. He is curious about their life and culture and asks about their religion – if they have religion, if there are various sects and if they fight about religion. The priest tells him that of course they have religion, and they only have one, the only one possible – they thank God constantly for everything they are given. The priest seems confused that anyone could even conceive of any other religion. What else should people do but thank God constantly for everything they are given.

In the Gospel verse today we are told to give thanks to God in all circumstances. In the first reading Naaman gives thanks and gifts for his cure. In the Gospel the Samaritan leper who thanks Jesus is told that his faith has saved him. Every day we enjoy the miracle of life. Every day we wake up we should thank God for everything we are given. What else should we do?