Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/451



I. "  And  one  of  them,  when  he  saw  that  he  was  cleansed, went  back  with  a  loud  voice  glorifying  God." (Luke xvii. 15.)  We  ought  always  to  be  grateful  to  God  for  the benefits, which  we  receive  from  Him. " In  all  things," says the  Apostle,  "  give  thanks,  for  this  is  the  will  of God." (1 Thes.  v.  13.)  This  thanksgiving  is  to  be  performed, in  the  first  place,  with  a  "  loud  voice,"  that  is with  great  energy  and  affection. We must  "  glorify God,"  and  with  holy  David,  "extol  His  name." (Ps. xxxiii. 4.)  We  must  besides,  accompany  all  this  with great humility,  fall  prostrate  at  the  feet  of  our  Lord,  and acknowledge ourselves  unworthy  of  His  mercies  and favors. "There can  be  no  offering  more  grateful  to God,"  writes  St. Augustine, "  than  that  of  thanksgiving."

II. Of the  ten  lepers,  who  were  cured,  only  one  returned. " There  is  no  one  found  to  return,"  said  Christ on the  occasion,  "and  give  glory  to  God,  but  this stranger." (Luke xvii.  18.)  Reflect  how  many  thousands there  are,  whom  God  daily  preserves  and  feeds,  and who do  not  acknowledge  the  benefit. They eat  their food, like  irrational  creatures,  without  raising  their minds or  hearts  to  heaven. " I  have  brought  up  children," says  God  by  His  prophet,  "  and  exalted  them, but  they  have  despised  me." (Is. i.  2.)  These  consider themselves as  inhabitants  and  sons  of  the  earth,  and  believe that  they  possess  here,  "a  settled  habitation;"  but do you  on  the  contrary  consider  yourself  a  stranger  and pilgrim in  the  world. Then you  will  easily  acknowledge God's gifts,  and  all  His  favors  bestowed  on  you.