As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”

Last Saturday we once again blessed the household pets of the parish at 11:30 am in beautiful Indian Summer weather.  It was a bumper crowd of dogs, cats, rabbits and even an all-white parrot.  And they all got along, happy to see each other, all around the statue of St. Francis of Assisi. It was like a family reunion.  The only feisty one was Linguini.  He could have been more “welcoming” as they say.  We still all got a kick out of him.  Deep down I am sure he was grateful to see all the “Compas and Comas.”  Linguini was grateful for the blessings of the parish pets (For the sake of the record, he barked out a loud, “Thank you for being here!”).

Speaking of saying thanks, what about the ten healed by Jesus from the horrible decease of Leprosy and only one of them came back to say thank you — what about that?  What do you think of that?

Let me share with you that I know a rather large group of younger Catholics who, when I talk with them or do something good with them, always say to me, “You know I appreciate that, thank you.”  When they talk like that, it makes me feel good, and I know that they mean it.  “I appreciate it. Thank you.”

I did read about a young boy, however, who at the age of 11 decided to invoice his mother for the amount of chores he completed for her.  It went like this: 

• Cutting the grass: $5.00
• Making the bed for a week: $1.00
• Going to the store for mom: $0.50
• Playing with the little brother: $0.25
• Taking out the trash: $1.00
• A good report card: $5.00
• Raking the leaves: $2.00

for a total of $14.75 

The mother said in reply, “Ok son, here is my list for you …

• Nurturing you in my womb for 9 months: NO CHARGE
• Nights I sat up with you and prayed for you while you were sick: NO CHARGE
• Time with and tears I spent for you: NO CHARGE 
• My total love for you: NO CHARGE
• My worries about your future, the cost of your college years: NO CHARGE, my son.”

The boy listened. He paused. Then he took the invoice he gave his mom, turned it over   and wrote,  MOM — PAID IN FULL.

You should have [or better, must have] an attitude of gratitude. I say this on a human level — with one another.  But also I say you should or you must have an attitude of gratitude on the level of Faith. Look: look at the Cross, look, look at the gift of His real presence to us in the Body and Blood in the Eucharistic Sacrifice: NO CHARGE! Thank you, Jesus!

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor & Rector, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Parish

Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times
at the word of Elisha, the man of God.
His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child,
and he was clean of his leprosy.

Naaman returned with his whole retinue to the man of God.
On his arrival he stood before Elisha and said,
“Now I know that there is no God in all the earth,
except in Israel.
Please accept a gift from your servant.”

Elisha replied, “As the LORD lives whom I serve, I will not take it;”
and despite Naaman’s urging, he still refused.
Naaman said: “If you will not accept,
please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth,
for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice
to any other god except to the LORD.”

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.