"We are a community of disciples inspired by the Holy Spirit to be living witnesses for transformation in Christ to bring about a world of justice, human development and true peace."
Word Sharing Circle (WSC) Reflection Guide
October 12, 2025 (Cycle C, Year I) – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Community Word: Unwavering faith brings disciples into deeper communion with Jesus.
Theme: Unwavering faith leads us to respond with heartfelt gratitude for God’s mercy.
Promise: “The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations, he has revealed his justice.” (Ps 98:2)
Reflection:
Our Theme this week teaches us that unwavering faith leads us to respond with heartfelt gratitude for God’s mercy. Faith is more than believing; it is trusting God in all things and responding with thanksgiving for His love and mercy. Gratitude naturally flows from a heart that knows God has given us everything – life, healing, forgiveness, and salvation in Christ. When we pray, we do more than ask; we build a living relationship with God. Prayer becomes gratitude, praise, and acknowledgment that all good things come from Him.
The readings remind us that true faith is always joined with thanksgiving. In the First Reading, Naaman is healed of leprosy. His response is not only joy but conversion. He proclaims that he will no longer worship any god except the Lord (2 Kgs 5:17). His healing deepens his faith and leads him to worship. In the Gospel, ten lepers are healed by Jesus, yet only one, a Samaritan, returns to thank Him (Lk 17:16). Jesus praises this act of gratitude, showing us that healing and blessing are truly complete when we acknowledge God’s mercy and give Him glory.
The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 98:1-4) tells us that God continues to show His saving power. His mercy is revealed in the healing and salvation of those who turn to Him with faith. This is why thanksgiving is so important. Faith receives the gift, but gratitude gives it back to God in praise. When we live with thankful hearts, we not only honor God but also strengthen our communion with Him.
In his Second Letter to Timothy, St. Paul gives witness to this truth. Though he is imprisoned for preaching the Gospel, Paul is spiritually free because his faith is anchored in Christ. He proclaims that even when people are unfaithful, God remains faithful (2 Tim 2:13). This assurance strengthens us in times of weakness. God’s mercy and justice do not depend on our perfection but on His unchanging love. Gratitude, then, is not only for blessings received but also for the certainty that God is faithful and will never abandon us.
Still, we must admit that many times we are like the nine lepers who did not return. We pray for healing, protection, or help in difficulties, but when God answers, we easily forget to thank Him. Faith that only asks without giving thanks remains incomplete. Unwavering faith, however, is shown in constant gratitude, thanking God not just for what we receive, but also for the gift of His presence in every moment. Gratitude is shown in prayer, in words of praise, in service to others, and in a life lived for God.
If we live this way, our faith becomes a living witness of God’s saving power. Gratitude makes our faith visible, drawing others to recognize God’s work in us. By living thankful lives, we give glory to God and proclaim His mercy to the world, fulfilling the promise: “The Lord has made his salvation known; in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.” (Ps 98:2).
Prayer:
Father God, You are faithful and merciful. Thank You for the gift of life, healing, and salvation in Your Son, Jesus. Forgive us for the times we prayed only in need and forgot to return in gratitude. Fill our hearts with faith that is constant and thankful, so that our lives may give witness to Your saving power. Amen.
Reflection Guide Questions:
1. What simple daily practices can I cultivate to show gratitude to God (e.g., morning prayer, thanking Him before meals, etc.)?
2. How do I show gratitude to the people around me – my family, friends, or community, so that my faith is expressed in action, not just in words?
3. What concrete step can I take to be a living witness of God’s mercy and faithfulness to others?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
October 12, 2025 (Sun) – 2 Kgs 5:14-17/ Ps 98:1-4/ 2 Tm 2:8-13/ Lk 17:11-19
October 13, 2025 (Mon) – Rom 1:1-7/ Ps 98:1-4/ Lk 11:29-32
October 14, 2025 (Tue) – Rom 1:16-25/ Ps 19:2-5/ Lk 11:37-41
October 15, 2025 (Wed) – Rom 2:1-11/ Ps 62:2, 3, 6, 7, 9/ Lk 11:42-46
October 16, 2025 (Thu) – Rom 3:21-30/ Ps 130:1-6/ Lk 11:47-54
October 17, 2025 (Fri) – Rom 4:1-8/ Ps 32:1-2, 5, 11/ Lk 12:1-7
October 18, 2025 (Sat) – 2 Tm 4:10-17/ Ps 145:10-12, 17, 18/ Lk 10:1-9
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
Weekly: Theme, Promise, Order, Direction and Prophesies (bldworld.org)