Today's Gospel speaks of ten men afflicted with leprosy. Their disease was bad enough but what was even worse was their total exclusion from society. Perhaps most of us have never seen a leper but there are many other lepers in our own society. They are the people that our society neglects or exploits or despises on the basis of social class, race, skin colour or religion. Our Christian faith, on the other hand, is one of total inclusivity. Every single person, as a loved child of God, is my brother or sister. Is there anyone or any group in my society that I - or we - tend to avoid or criticise or even abuse?

Today's readings, too, warn us against complacency. So often we rush to God or Jesus or Our Lady when we want something. But, when we get it, how often we neglect to give thanks! Not to mention the countless graces God continues to shower on us every day without our even asking. So much of our prayer can be 'Give, give, give!' but so little of 'Thank you, thank you, thank you.' In today's Gospel it was a despised foreigner who was the only one to give thanks. It can be that it is the non-Christian who can give us Catholics lessons in appreciating God's gifts. Let us count our blessings.