Gratitude, memory of the heart

Idilyn Diazmade history for the Philippines by winning the first Gold Medal in the last Tokyo Olympics in the weight lifting competition.

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In order to succeed, she went through rigorous training and sacrifices. But what’s most inspiring is that all throughout her preparations and competitions, she never forgot to pray.

When she received the gold medal, she raised it with her left hand for the world to see and also raised with her right hand the Miraculous Medal of the Blessed Mother. She wanted to show that her success was not only the fruit of her talent and rigorous sacrifices but also thanked the Blessed Virgin Mary for her divine assistance.

Here’s a woman who knew how to be grateful. She exemplifies the grateful Naaman in the first reading of this 28th Sunday Mass was cured of leprosy (2 Kgs 5, 14), and the Samaritan in the gospel who was the only one among the 10 lepers who returned to thank the Lord for their healing.