Grateful

It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’ And he said to the man, ‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.’
Lk.17:17-19

Jesus has healed ten lepers. Only one gives thanks. What is it that has truly saved the life of this leper? Not his healing, which will have only a temporary effect. It is his faith as shown by his gratitude.

An attitude of gratitude. What  a great way to enter my day. Somehow gratitude makes the glass always appear half full. It's time to start counting my blessings.

"One, two, three up to infinity
I'd run out of numbers
Before I could thank You for everything
God, I'm still counting my blessings
For all that You've done in my life
The more that I look in the details
The more of Your goodness I find"

by Seph Schlueter

Christ is Risen Alleluia!

But he was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body, and when Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed...
Jn.2:22

Jesus has cleared the temple of people using it as a marketplace, reconcercrating it for worship. Then he reveals God is not found just in a physical building but within him, and that he is risen and alive.

That Jesus rose from the dead is central to my Christian Faith. As Saint Paul says, if this is not true then we of all people are to be most pitied. 

But in fact Christ is risen. We are a resurrection people of joy and hope. Every day is Easter. Christ  is risen, Alleluia!

Jesus, you are alive. Today I live in the joy of your resurrection. 

Look for Others Advantage

‘The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.’
Lk:.6:8

Jesus tells a parable that at first appears to be encouraging me to be selfish. The key to my understanding of the parable lies in a word from Jesus in the last verse. Astute.

Astute: Having an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage. 

Jesus sees astuteness as something to desire when dealing with other believers. This makes sense when remembering that the world Jesus calls me to, the world of "light", is the opposite of this present world. Instead of always looking for my own advantage, Jesus calls me to think of others first, to look for their advantage. I'm to be astute in calling forth good in others. 

Jesus, this is hard. Help me intentionally step into the world of light and love others as I love myself.