When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with amazement and astonishment at what had happened to him.( Acts 3:9-10).
God is good!
Rev. John Kavanaugh S. J. tells a story of an elderly woman in an extended care hospital. She had some form of disease that was gradually eroding her capacities. One of her former students met her by coincidence. The strange force of the woman’s joy made a lasting impression on the student. As a result, the student kept going back to visit with the woman. Though she could no longer move her arms and legs, she would say, “I’m just so happy and grateful to God that I can move my neck.”
Then she could no longer move her neck. But she would say to the student, “I’m just so glad and thankful I can hear and see.” One day the student asked the old woman what would happen if she lost her sense of sound and sight, the gentle lady said, “I’ll just be so grateful that you come to visit.” What an example!
It is not surprising that the student kept going to visit her. For she received something more stupendous and incredible from the woman than she gave her — how to be grateful in all circumstances. Even in her darkest moments, the woman always had a reason to thank God.
In his disabled condition, the crippled man we meet in the first reading was still pleased to find hope and comfort in God. And when the power of Jesus restored his health through the apostles Peter and John , he exceedingly gave thanks to God.
Saint Paul, who urges us to give thanks to God in all circumstances, was himself not without troubles in life. In 2 Corinthians 11:24 – 27, he recounts parts of his many afflictions. Despite all our heavy burdens, we too can always look to God and find in our lives a reason to give thanks to God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise you for my life; for what I have, and for what I’m able to do. Lead me to always look up to you for help and be grateful in all my situations. Amen.