October 12, 2025
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TEXT: Ruth 1:1-19a; Luke 17:11-19
TOPIC: Gratitude
SERMON SUMMARY:
The Heart of Gratitude
Last night, celebrating my father-in-law's 95th birthday at a Chinese restaurant, I watched my sons thank the waiter who filled our water glasses. It made me proud, but it also made me think: saying "thank you" isn't the same as being thankful, is it? One is good manners—the other is a spontaneous response of the heart.
My father-in-law has always inspired me with his humble gratitude. When he says grace, he thanks God for even the smallest blessings. Last night, watching him genuinely enjoy our celebration reminded me what true thankfulness looks like.
This theme of gratitude struck me powerfully in our Scripture readings. Ruth's devotion to Naomi—"Where you go, I will go"—is gratitude in action. In desperate circumstances, she pledged her very life. That's the model for our relationship with Christ: clinging to Him no matter what.
Then there's the story of the ten lepers Jesus healed. Nine went on their way, but one—a Samaritan—turned back, fell at Jesus's feet, and praised God. Jesus told him, "Your faith has made you well"—or more accurately, "saved you." Do we take what we want from God and leave, or do we respond with humble, grateful devotion?
Gratitude is essential for spiritual health. It humbles us, purifies our speech and thoughts, helps us recognize that everything is a gift, and reminds us of God's promise to provide all things.
It's no accident we gather weekly for the Eucharist—literally "the thanksgiving." We come to God's altar with grateful hearts, saying: "All that I am and all that I have is from You and dedicated to You." When we live from that place of gratitude, we participate more fully in the life He calls us to.
Ordained in the Anglican Church more than 20 years ago, The Very Reverend Rob Holman has led congregations in New York and Los Angeles with sound biblical preaching, prayerful discernment, and trained organizational management skills. Besides his role as Rector of St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Montrose, CA, Fr. Rob is also Dean of the Greater Los Angeles Deanery in the ACNA’s Diocese of Western Anglicans. During his tenure in Los Angeles, he has run Kingdom Conferences for the Diocese and been a speaker at the Deanery’s annual Next Steps in Mission training day. Fr. Rob received his Master of Divinity at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA and is a graduate of the University of Virginia (BS Engineering '87 and MBA '91).
For over a century, the congregation of St. Luke’s has followed Jesus Christ through ancient forms of worship and spiritual growth presented in a contemporary style. St. Luke’s celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024. The original stone building, made of stones from the local mountains, still stands on Foothill Blvd in La Crescenta—though the Anglican congregation has moved to a new building just a few blocks away near downtown Montrose. Retaining its biblically faithful foundation and liturgically rich worship service through the move, this long-standing Los Angeles church also carries on a tradition of warm welcome for newcomers. St. Luke’s is part of the Diocese of Western Anglicans, Anglican Church in North America, and the Global Anglican Communion. We invite you to join us online or in person this Sunday!
