Ezra 9:5-9 / Luke 9:1-6
It is so easy to forget to be thankful and grateful when our difficulties and struggles are over.
Just like previous generation would look at the present generation and say that the present generation are not grateful and thankful that there is so much to eat and can even throw away food.
And then the present generation would look at the next generation and say that they take so many things for granted and that they waste money even before they have to earn it.
In the 1st reading, when Ezra looked at his people, he remembered how they were sent into exile.
They had sinned against the Lord and hence they were punished as their enemies conquered them and sent them into captivity and slavery.
But the Lord was merciful and now a remnant has come back to rebuild the Temple.
But Ezra remembered the past and he was taking nothing for granted in the present.
Even when Jesus sent His disciples to proclaim the Good News, He sent them off with nothing but with His authority and empowerment.
This was to remind them to take nothing for granted because all they needed had already been granted.
Even for us, all we ever needed has already been granted. We need to be thankful and grateful.
That will be the first step for us in proclaiming the Good News.