General. Good deeds are done by virtue of the Spirit of Christ received through Baptism. When the Spirit works within us it is only too natural for us that after the Eucharist, which we share in a community, we receive the strength to go out and announce God’s deeds with us personally to all people. This is the real meaning of giving witness, which we can do after confirming our faith, having received eternal solace in hearing God’s Word and receiving the Body of His Son Jesus at Mass.

Second Book of Kings. Naaman was thankful for what God had done with him, so much so that he recognized that He was a living God, different from the wooden idols pagans went around with. Thanksgiving, which is the Eucharist itself – eu xaristos - is a virtue which few of us exercise unless we are aware that nothing is due to us for granted and that as sinful humanity we deserve much worse. Yet God’s love works in contrary manner to human deeds, and God loved us best at the time when we sinned mostly against Him by giving up His Only Son Jesus for us – indeed, a sign of life.

Second Epistle to Timothy. St Paul once again reminds us of the Resurrection, Christ’s and ours through Baptism. Through it we become brothers of Christ, not only in joy but also in suffering which leads to life everlasting. If we die and suffer with Jesus, we shall also live and reign with him, just as if we deny him he shall deny knowing us before the Father Who is in heaven. Briefly, our lot is that of Christ in living obedience to the Father.

St Luke. Out of ten lepers, only one was aware of his duty to render thanks to Jesus for restoring his health. Many a time we take things for granted and this makes us unthankful towards God or neighbout who help us out in our difficulties, expecting everything by right. The strength to show thankfulness witnesses to one’s humility and one’s ability to rest on God and neighbour to wade through life which cannot, after all, always be faced up to single-handedly.

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