I’m not a “good old days” guy. I don’t think the past was easier. Sure, these modern times are perplexing, but decades of ‘wholesome’ television shows can’t cover up for the usual things that ail us as a people.
Technology is a new literacy, a new data delivery system, and while life is made complicated by new forms of communication, I have been weary of those who herald our destruction because of it. I don’t read books on tablets and save for the computer I use to write this very blog, I am the least “techie” guy I know. With that said, I’ve never considered myself old-fashioned and yet, this Sunday’s Gospel really convicts me in a simple but deep way. After praying over the story, I find myself on this bright afternoon sounding quite — well — old-fashioned.
We have forgotten as a culture to say please and thank you. Perhaps it is our political cycle or media, but basic human decency seems rarer and rarer. Maybe it is the Catholic school educator in me or the echo of my mom’s voice in my head when she used to always say to my siblings and me, “Remember, when you leave this house you are representing all of us.” Whether it is writing thank-you notes or taking off our hats in places of worship, whether it is welcoming a new neighbor with some food or a bottle of wine or excusing ourselves from the dinner table, we seem to have lost those small kindnesses.
Now, I certainly don’t think this is the end of us. I’m often forgetful, particularly at work, to mind my manners and I have a terrible habit of having a very ‘blue’ vocabulary. Maybe it is the public school student in me. But, I don’t think this Gospel is meant to be a simple Sunday School lesson. I think saying thank you, especially to God, reminds us of what we have and instructs us to help others who don’t have much. I think the Gospel writer instructs us with this image of the thankful healed man by telling us these simple gestures really do teach us to empathize with each other. It also reminds me to return to those who have helped me along my way, to pick up the phone or write a note. Maybe after all those pleases and thank yous we can find ourselves facing our Savior and we’ll hear “Your faith has saved you.” Which I suppose is the Lord’s way of saying, “Thanks for saying thanks.”
I’ll be seeing you,
Elliot
