GOSPEL READING:
Luke 17:11-1911 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." 14 When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
Meditation: What can adversity teach us about the
blessing of thanksgiving and the healing power of love and mercy?
The Book of Proverbs states: A friend loves at all times; and
a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17). When
adversity strikes you find out who truly is your brother, sister,
and friend. The Gospel records an unusual encounter between two
peoples who had been divided for centuries. The Jews and
Samaritans had no dealings with one another even though Samaria
was located in the central part of Judea. Both peoples were openly
hostile whenever their paths crossed. In this Gospel narrative we
see one rare exception - a Samaritan leper in company with nine
Jewish lepers. Sometimes adversity forces people to drop their
barriers or to forget their prejudices. When this band of Jewish
and Samaritan lepers saw Jesus they made a bold request. They
didn't ask for healing, but instead asked for mercy.
Mercy is heartfelt sorrow at another's misfortune
The word mercy literally means "sorrowful at heart".
But mercy is something more than compassion, or heartfelt sorrow
at another's misfortune. Compassion empathizes with the sufferer.
But mercy goes further - it removes suffering. A merciful person
shares in another's misfortune and suffering as if it were his or
her own. And such a person will do everything in his or her power
to dispel that misery.
Mercy is also connected with justice. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274),
a great teacher and scripture scholar, said that mercy "does
not destroy justice, but is a certain kind of fulfillment of
justice. ..Mercy without justice is the mother of dissolution;
(and) justice without mercy is cruelty." Pardon without
repentance negates justice.
God's mercy brings healing of mind, heart, and body
So what is the significance of these ten lepers asking for mercy?
They know they are in need of healing, not just physical, but
spiritual healing as well. They approach Jesus with contrition and
faith because they believe that he can release the burden of guilt
and suffering and make restoration of body and soul possible.
Their request for mercy is both a plea for pardon and release from
suffering. Jesus gives mercy to all who ask with faith and
contrition.
Why did only one leper out of ten return to show gratitude?
Gratefulness, another word which expresses gratitude of heart and
a thankful disposition, is related to grace - which means the
release of loveliness. Gratitude is the homage of the heart
which responds with graciousness in expressing an act of
thanksgiving. The Samaritan approached Jesus reverently and gave
praise to God.
Ingratitude leads to lack of love and kindness, and
intolerance towards others
If we do not recognize and appreciate the mercy and help shown to
us we will be ungrateful and unkind towards others. Ingratitude is
forgetfulness or a poor return for kindness received. Ingratitude
easily leads to lack of charity and intolerance towards others, as
well as to other vices, such as complaining, grumbling,
discontentment, pride, and presumption. How often have we been
ungrateful to our parents, pastors, teachers, and neighbors? Do
you express gratitude to God for his abundant help and mercy
towards you and are you gracious, kind, and merciful towards your
neighbor in their time of need and support?
Lord Jesus, may I never fail to recognize your loving kindness and mercy towards me. Fill my heart with compassion and thanksgiving, and free me from ingratitude and discontentment. Help me to count my blessings with a grateful heart and to give thanks in all circumstances.
Psalm 98:1-4
1 O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.
2 The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Cleansing of the ten lepers, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"Why did [Jesus] not say, 'I will, be cleansed,' as he did in the
case of another leper (Luke 5:13), instead of commanding them to
show themselves to the priests? It was because the law gave
directions to this effect to those who were delivered from leprosy
(Leviticus 14:2). It commanded them to show themselves to the
priests and to offer a sacrifice for their cleansing. He commanded
them to go as being already healed so that they might bear witness
to the priests, the rulers of the Jews and always envious of his
glory. They testified that wonderfully and beyond their hope, they
had been delivered from their misfortune by Christ's willing that
they should be healed. He did not heal them first but sent them to
the priests, because the priests knew the marks of leprosy and of
its healing." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE,
HOMILIES 113-16)
