An ungrateful person is like a hog under a tree eating acorns but never looking up to see where they come from. An ungrateful person takes full advantage of what comes along but never looks to see where it comes from. Today, we call that mentality “entitlement.”

That’s quite an indictment, isn’t it? Perhaps we see ourselves in that position every now and then – just taking things for granted. There will always be food on the table. My parents exist to give me what I want, not necessarily what I need. I am bright. Therefore, I don’t have to work hard at school. My kids have always been good. So, I don’t have to worry about them. We can take so much for granted in life that we forget where it all comes from.

We may sometimes believe that we have earned or deserve what we get. After all, I have worked hard. I put in my time. Therefore, I have the right to whatever. I have always been considerate of others. Therefore, others should be considerate of me.

As individuals and as a people we have been blessed in so many ways. Look at the lepers in today’s readings. They ask for a cure and receive it. No questions asked. All ten are cured, but only one comes back to thank Jesus.

There are two important points about the one who returned. First, unlike the hogs eating the acorns under a tree, this leper recognized the source of the cure. We don’t know why the others did not come back, but even Jesus questioned their lack of gratitude when he asked: “Where are the other nine?” So, a sense of gratitude for our many blessings in life is essential to appreciating those gifts.

The second important point is the nationality of the one who returned. He was a Samaritan, a race despised by the Jews. Even Jesus remarks that it was the foreigner who returned to give thanks. It was the Samaritan who recognized the blessing and who thanked Jesus. Did the others believe that they were so entitled to a cure that they did not need to thank God? Perhaps they were so overjoyed at the cure that they forgot where the cure came from?

Listen carefully to what Jesus says to the man: “Stand up and go. Your faith has saved you.” Not only does Jesus cure the man, but Jesus gives him an additional gift. Jesus responds to the leper’s faith by offering him salvation, another gift: “Your faith has saved you!”

There is no doubt that we need to be like Jesus and be generous with one another in whatever way we can be generous. The gifts we have received are gifts meant to be shared with others. If you are academically blessed, then help others by tutoring. If you appreciate the blessing of freedom, then work for peace. If you recognize the blessing of daily food, then share with those in need.

However, like Jesus, even though we may be surprised that the recipients of our giving do not express gratitude, we must always give, always share, always willing to give. Also, too, we must always be grateful for our many blessings and for the many people who share their gifts with us. We can never say thank you too many times. Not expressing gratitude is like winking at someone in the dark. You know you did it, but the other person cannot experience your gratitude.

Here’s something else to chew on. It comes from Mother Teresa. “We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful,” she said. “We have done so much, with so little, for so long, we are now qualified to do anything, with nothing.”

Our Eucharist is God sharing his life with us. Let us make sure that we share that life with all whom we meet. Our Eucharistic celebration is a gift, a great act of thanksgiving for our many blessings.

Don’t take the Eucharist for granted.

Recognize our blessings and look for the true sources of all blessings.