Twenty-eight Sunday Gospel C

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
· Because lepers were unclean, they were not allowed either in the Temple or in the Synagogue. They were ostracized from others, less in contact, they would render others ritually unclean. For the most part, they lived outside in their own community.
· Notice their cry: “Have mercy on us!” They probably had heard of Jesus’ healing ministry.  Hearing he was coming through their area, they hastened to meet and petition for healing.

And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.”
· Notice he doesn’t touch them as he had done before. He doesn’t say, “Be healed.” By his command, he was telling them that if you believe that I have healed you, go to the priests to confirm it.
· Jesus said this because only when they have recovered, and fulfilled the Levitical requirements, could they be reinstated into the life of the people.
· At the moment there was not change in their condition. They came as lepers and they left as lepers. What was different was the conviction in their hearts that Jesus had done something.

As they were going they were cleansed. 
· This is not the first time that people left Jesus, believing in his word and latter their faith in Jesus’ word was confirmed. Recall the Centurion who came seeking the health of his servant, or the woman whose daughter was possessed.

And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.  He was a Samaritan. 
· The first thing to note is that one of them returned, glorifying God with gratitude and faith in Jesus. How often we experience God’s mercy and grace but do not respond with gratitude!
· In fact, should not our whole day be a prayer of gratitude to God for all his blessings just that day? Gratitude opens us up to the more that God desires to give us.
· The second thing to note is that Jesus points out that the one who returned with gratitude was not a legalistic Jew, but a Samaritan who was to the Jews a scum.
· God shows no partiality, for all are his sons and daughters, which is how we are to treat others.

Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?  Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”
· The other nine were healed and were satisfied. One returned thanks and experienced the further grace of God, salvation.
· Jesus wants not only to heal our bodies but to bring the healing grace of salvation for our souls.
· As you reflect on this passage, what applications can you make in your life?
· What is God saying to you?