Jesus heals 10 lepers, and one, the Samaritan, returns to give thanks.

10-09-2022Weekly Reflection

Today we hear about how Jesus, continuing on his journey to Jerusalem, heals 10 lepers. This story is a lesson about faith and reminds us that faith is sometimes found in unlikely places. Ten people afflicted with leprosy cry out to Jesus. Struck with pity, Jesus heals all 10. However, only one is described as glorifying God and returning to thank Jesus. The one who returns is a Samaritan, a foreigner.

In the Jewish circles in which Jesus lived, Samaritans were looked down upon because of the differences between the two communities in their observance of Judaism. It is significant, therefore, that Jesus commends the Samaritan for his faith, which has been his salvation. Throughout Luke's Gospel, faith is found in surprising places.

Another lesson for us in this Gospel has to do with salvation. All 10 of the lepers were given the gift of healing, but in his gratitude to God for this gift, the Samaritan found salvation. Our salvation is found in recognizing the gifts we have been given and knowing to whom we must offer our thanks.

As Christ makes his way to the cross, he accedes to the pleas of ten lepers for pity. The consummation of the Samaritan leper’s healing happens when he falls at the feet of Jesus in thanksgiving. Which makes Jesus ask, “Where are the other nine?” Saint Paul warns: “If we deny him, he will deny us.” The formerly skeptical Naaman returns to Elisha filled with gratitude and praise for God once his leprosy is healed by plunging into the Jordan. He resolves to live the rest of his life worshiping no other god but the Lord. For us, fervent thanksgiving prevents us from ever denying God; it keeps us strong in the faith that saves us.