To Thank like Jesus: Gratitude on the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection of Rev. Fr. Phillippe Angelo G. Garcia for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAID: "THANK YOU or SALAMAT PO"?WHOM DID YOU THANK and WHY?

This Sunday, our gospel reminds us of the importance of gratitude. A good Catholic knows how to give thanks to God! When we thank God, we recognize who we really are: we are not God, we can’t do everything on our own, and we need Him as our Father.

Even though we make mistakes and sometimes forget about God, just like the characters in our Gospel, God remains faithful to us. In our second reading, St. Paul teaches us that we must persevere in being faithful to Jesus.

In our families, loved ones, and friends, whether the celebration is simple or "engrande," whether we have little or much, we often gather, share meals, and help one another. These acts are ways of showing our thanks to God.

As a good Catholic, every time we attend Mass, we celebrate the highest form of praise and thanksgiving, the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

The word “Eucharist” means “Thanksgiving.” At the heart of this sacrament, we hear Jesus in the person of the presider praying, “This is My Body,” and “This is My Blood... for you and for all. Do this in Memory of Me.” This shows that true gratitude involves giving just like Jesus, who in thanksgiving to the Father, gave Himself completely for us.

In other words, JESUS OFFERED HIS SUFFERING TO GOD as a FORM OF THANKSGIVING. We can also thank God by offering not just the glorious and joyful events of our lives. We may also offer the difficulties we experience, just like Jesus when He embraced the cross to love us.

Our pain and struggles become meaningful when we unite them with the suffering of Jesus. Because He endured the cross, our own suffering has deeper value. Jesus chose to suffer, and when we embrace our own hardships, we trust that Jesus shall surely lead us to the grace of resurrection.

In our first reading, the prophet Elisha said, “THE LORD IS LIVING, WHOM I SERVE." So we should also reflect: how do we respond to suffering? When problems come, do we let emotions take over? Do we shout, curse, or stop caring? Do we forget that GOD still exists despite our suffering?

St. John Paul II said that there is a “Ministry of Suffering.” When we suffer, our prayers become stronger because we are suffering like Christ. So whenever we’re going through something difficult, we can pray, “Lord, I offer this suffering to You. Please take care of it.”

If we meet someone who’s annoying, hard to talk to, or difficult to understand, St. Josemaria Escriva reminds us not to get angry. Instead, think of that person as someone who brings us closer to God. Because of them, we end up praying more: “Lord, I am offering my suffering to You.” Rather than being controlled by anger or revenge, let’s choose to pray and offer our struggles to God.

Offering one's suffering is not tolerating what is wrong and sinful. Offering our suffering leads us to correct our neighbors' sins and mistakes using the most charitable approach in loving our neighbors. There is a time for everything! You are not loving God sincerely if you tolerate others who are committing sins and mistakes around you.

Let us now reflect on some points:

1. In the past months, from January to early October 2025, what was the cross that you have begun carrying? Tell the story to Jesus in your prayer.

2. What are the top 2 experiences that shaped you recently? Examine them by recalling these experiences (reflect on who you were with in those experiences, what the experience was, where it happened, when it happened, and how it happened) and savor how God led you into those situations.

3. Who are the persons that annoy you the most? Why? Whisper their names to Jesus in your prayer that God may touch them and bless them. Remember, if we are called to love those whom we hate, the first step of loving is praying for them.