Thanksgiving has been a national holiday since 1863, in the middle of the Civil War. Most of us have family traditions that involve gathering together and hopefully being thankful that we can do that. Granted, not all families are able to get together, and some have tensions that make getting together less joyous than obligatory. And there are times there is someone missing—for reasons of geography or someone passing since the last gathering. Thanksgiving will hopefully be a time of rejoicing this year for those who really missed getting to be together last year. Thanks and rejoicing are the two pieces of this celebration, even when we get caught up in life and don’t remember just how thankful we are.
The story of Jesus healing the ten lepers from Luke 17 reminds us of that. Ten were healed; these ten are then able to re-enter regular society, once they are verified by the priest as indeed being healed and ritually clean. They are likely incredibly excited about this—going on their way and rejoicing at their restored status, so it’s understandable that their joy would overwhelm their thanks. One, however, remembers that reason he is able to rejoice is because of Jesus, and returns to Jesus to give thanks. As is often the case, our rejoicing involves something for which to be thankful—they are related.
The other story from Luke 15 is much more involved, with more layers of family dynamics—perhaps in some respects not unlike our own family dynamics. The younger son, the “Prodigal Son”, loses his inheritance that his father has allowed him to have even before his father has died. He blows through half of his father’s lifetime savings, and comes crawling back home with a desperate proposal to be treated as a servant and not as a son. His father won’t hear of it, welcoming him with open arms—and rejoicing—and throwing a huge party to celebrate. The older son resents this rejoicing for his younger brother whom he regards as reckless and irresponsible. His disapproval gets in the way of his rejoicing. His feelings of not being appreciated, even though his father reassures him that he indeed is appreciated, get in the way of his rejoicing. He isn’t thankful that his “lost” brother has been “found” which gets in the way of his rejoicing. Thanksgiving and rejoicing are connected here too—if he can’t be thankful then he can’t rejoice, and he refuses to join the party. Those family dynamics can get in the way of thanksgiving and rejoicing. Prayerfully our own family dynamics don’t get in the way.
The flip side? Philippians 4:4 reminds us, as Paul says to “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” There is always something to thank God for—always something for which we can rejoice. The more we can see that, the more positive we can be.
GOSPEL Luke 15:17-24
17 But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ ” 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” 22 But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.
GOSPEL Luke 17:11-19
11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ 14 When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ 19 Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’
NEW TESTAMENT Philippians 4:4
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.