gratitude , the second blessing - 32nd week wednesday 2018

Gratitude is oftentimes called the second blessing.  In our gospel today ten received the blessing of healing, the first blessing.  But only one received the second blessing – the blessing of gratitude.  Why?  Because only the Samaritan, only one among the ten, recognized and acknowledged the good that he received. Thus, he alone among the ten received the double blessing.

So what does the 2^nd blessing brought by gratitude consist of? 

When the heart is thankful, the mind is focused not on what I do not have but on what I have.  A thankful heart counts its blessings, a thankful heart is focused on the blessings one has.  Thus, thankfulness makes us more positive in our outlook towards life and therefore it makes us more courageous in facing challenges and difficulties and it becomes easier for us to accept what is happening.  When you have this kind of attitude towards life, then indeed we become doubly blessed.

Thanksgiving day is fast approaching.  It is not enough that we are thankful for everything.  No.  Gratefulness always pinpoints the good, it recognizes and acknowledges every good, every gift I can find in my life everyday.  What are these?  Only when we acknowledge the gifts, can we receive the double blessing of gratefulness.