Titus 3:1-7 / Luke 17:11-19
A story has it that two angels were sent to collect the prayer petitions of the people.
One angel was given a basket to collect the people's needs and requests, and the other angel was given a basket to collect the thanksgivings.
On their way back to heaven, the angel carrying the basket of the people's needs and requests was full and over-flowing, whereas the the angel carrying the people's thanksgiving was light and there were few thanksgiving.
That is not surprising isn't it. By and large, people are more concerned with their needs rather than the need to give thanks.
In the gospel, even Jesus expressed disappointment that those who were healed of the dreaded disease of leprosy did not come to give thanks.
In the 1st reading St. Paul instructed Titus to remind his people that was their duty to be obedient to the officials and representatives of the government.
If that is considered a Christian duty, then all the more it is an obligation and also the very essence of being Christian to give thanks to God for His blessings and graces.
What more will God not give since He had already given His only Son?
We only need to give a basket-full of thanks and praise to God.
In turn we will receive blessing upon blessing, grace upon grace.