Let thankfulness come from within

“Then Jesus asked, ‘Were there not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God…”- Luke 17:17-18a

Have you ever noticed that “thank you” has become a way to end transactions and conversations? At the store the cashier says “thank you, come again” and we reply “okay, thanks.” In conversations or phone calls we might end with a “well, thanks a lot.”

This can also be true when it comes to saying “thanks” on Thanksgiving. We offer a perfunctory “thank you” to God so that we can get on with the business of eating. “Thanks for everything Lord and pass the gravy.”

When those who went before us decided that a Thanksgiving holiday should be practiced by all, I don’t think this is what they had in mind. Thanksgiving has been set aside for us to call to mind all that we have to give thanks for in this country that we call America.

The practice of giving thanks as a community goes back to the Bible when the psalmists would call the people to join him in his praise to the Lord. “It is good to give thanks to the Lord.” (Psalm 92:1a) and “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving…” (Psalm 95:2a). Giving thanks can be an individual thing, but often one wants others to join in the giving of thanks.

In the story of the 10 lepers healed by Jesus, none return giving thanks except a foreigner (Luke 17:11-19). Jesus seems to be mystified by the lack of thanks shown by his countrymen. Lack of thanks seems to him to be unthinkable. Jesus blesses the one who returns “giving thanks” and tells him that his faith has made him “whole.” The others were made clean, but the one who returned was made whole which is more than just a physical thing. Being made whole is a spiritual thing.

This Thanksgiving, as you offer thanks to the Lord, let it be a thankfulness that comes from deep within and not a way of dispensing with the duty in order to get on with the real business of eating.

Pastor David Hall

Holy Trinity

Lutheran Church