Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr

The Five Marks of a Grateful Heart

Today we hear once again the Gospel passage from Luke 17:11-19, the story of the ten lepers. Though all ten were healed by Jesus, only one returned to give thanks. And in doing so, this one leper offers us a powerful example of what true gratitude looks like. He did five things that can serve as a model for our own relationship with God.

First, he returned. After realizing he had been healed, he turned back. He didn’t continue on his way, caught up in the excitement of being restored to society. He remembered the one who had healed him, and he made the choice to return to Jesus. Gratitude begins with awareness — noticing what God has done and making the conscious decision to go back to Him. How often do we forget to return to the Lord after our prayers have been answered? This leper reminds us to pause, turn around, and come back to the source of our blessings.

Second, he glorified God. Gratitude is not just a private feeling; it naturally leads to praise. This man recognized that his healing was not just a happy coincidence — it was the work of God. And he gave glory where glory was due. In our lives, how often do we take credit for our own successes or attribute them to luck or hard work alone? The grateful heart sees God’s hand in all things and responds with praise.

Third, he glorified God in a loud voice. He was not ashamed to let others hear his gratitude. He didn’t whisper his thanks or keep it to himself. His joy and thanksgiving overflowed. There is something powerful about proclaiming what God has done for us. When we share our testimonies, when we sing His praises, when we speak of His goodness, we not only honor God — we also build up the faith of those around us.

Fourth, he fell at the feet of Jesus. This is an act of humility and worship. He recognized not only the gift, but the giver. He didn’t just say thank you from a distance — he came close, he bowed down, he placed himself at Jesus’ feet. Gratitude leads us to worship. It brings us to our knees in recognition of God’s greatness and mercy.

And fifth, he thanked Him. Simple, but profound. He expressed his thanks directly to Jesus. Sometimes we assume God knows we are thankful, and of course He does. But there is power in speaking our gratitude aloud, in naming the gifts we have received and offering thanks with sincerity.

Saint Augustine once said, ‘He who knows how to give thanks for little things is worthy to receive great things.’ The leper who returned was not only healed physically, but Jesus tells him, ‘Your faith has saved you.’ His gratitude opened him to a deeper healing — the healing of his soul.

Today, on the Memorial of Saint Josaphat, we are reminded that true gratitude is not just about words, but about a life lived in response to God’s grace. Saint Josaphat gave his life for the unity of the Church. His whole life was a thank you to God — lived out in service, sacrifice, and love.

So let us ask ourselves: do we return to Jesus each day? Do we glorify God not just quietly in our hearts, but with our voices and our lives? Do we fall at His feet in humility? Do we thank Him sincerely and often?

May we learn from the one leper who returned. May our lives reflect those same five actions — returning, glorifying, proclaiming, worshiping, and thanking — so that we too may hear the words, ‘Your faith has saved you.’