Being Thankful To Christ At All Times

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

October 12, 2025

in Spritual Growth

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2 Timothy 2:8-15
Luke 17: 11-19

18th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2025 Homily – Abp. Hines

There is nothing to be sad with because every day is a day that the Lord has made. We find the disciples being wanderers in the beginning but followed Christ.

The story of Ruth and Naomi speaks of loyalty. When Naomi’s two sons died, she urged the two daughters to go home to their people. To return to their place of origin. While the 1st daughter left, Ruth begged to stay, saying, “I’ll go wherever you will go, your people shall be my people, your God, my God.

We see today in the Gospel, ten lepers, ostracized from society, Abandoned and not being taken care of. Leprosy was a disease that was considered a curse and no one dared to go near a leper. As Christ was entering a village from a long journey, the lepers approached Him. They raised their voices, crying out saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” They called Him “Master” which meant that they somehow had a kind of faith that this Master was greater than what they were experiencing. The ten came together as a group. They were living a difficult life because no one wanted to go near them. They cried aloud and acknowledged His Mastership. Jesus then said to them, “go and show yourselves to the priest. ”Jesus did not tell them anything else. He didn’t even pray for them, but they obeyed and began to go on their way to the priest. On their way there, they were all healed. Out of the ten, one returned to Christ. He got down on his knees, bowed at His feet because he was so thankful. Jesus said, “were there no ten of you and only one came back?” This one was even a Samaritan while the nine others were Jews. This story shows us how much God has given us from the very beginning. Do we ever stop and think of what He has given us and be thankful? Do we have appreciation for this? Do we even realize that the sun comes out each morning, giving us energy and hope for a new day?

The devil wants to channel our energies on other things, to not be thankful to God. The one who returned was thankful. And Jesus told him, “Your faith has made thee whole.” The other nine, though they were Jews, the Chosen people, and had been healed, did not return to Christ to thank Him. God is the Father of all- Jews and Gentiles alike.

How thankful are you? How many things in life are you grateful for? Even in the midst of difficulty, what is our attitude?” Psalm 103:1-2 Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits.”

Thanksgiving can change things. All things work together for good to those that love Him, who are called according to His purpose. In all things, we ought to give thanks to God, for this is the will in Christ Jesus. We need to be discerning. God will not fail. Our faith should be in Him, and we need to be a thankful people.