In praise of God reach out to others

 

Welcome to my blog. Peace be with you.

Today we hear the story of the ten lepers healed by Jesus. Like them if we call out to him, he will heal us too. When we experience his healing voice, in joy, like the Samaritan, let us praise God by reaching out in love to others.

Wednesday 11 November 2020

In praise of God reach out to others

 

Gospel

Luke 17:11-19

No-one has come back to praise God, only this foreigner

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him. They stood some way off and called to him, ‘Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.’ When he saw them he said, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ Now as they were going away they were cleansed. Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. This made Jesus say, ‘Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’ And he said to the man, ‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.’

 

Prayerful reflection

At the time of Jesus lepers were outcasts from society. They were by law to live alone away from contact with other healthy human beings. They were not to  approach anyone, nor was anyone allowed to approach them. Leprosy was a living death.

These ten lepers stood at a distance. They had faith, however, in the healing power of Jesus and so cried out to him, ‘Jesus, Master! Take pity on us.’ Jesus did take pity on them. He told them to go and show themselves to the priest and get permission to participate in all community activities once again.

As the went they were healed. Then one of them was inspired to return and give thanks. Were the others not inspired. The Holy Spirit must have inspired  them too. But seeing them healed from leprosy, in the joy at a new life, they rush off to the priests so that they can go home and be a member of the community once again. Meanwhile, they forgot Jesus who ha given them this new life. Only one was inspired to return and praise God in thanksgiving. He was not a Jew, not a member of the chosen people. He was a hated Samaritan. He followed the Spirit’s inspiration and returned.

He received the perfect healing. He personally met Jesus at his feet. Before he had stood at a distance. Now he came close. He met Jesus and as saved spiritually.

We too are all like the lepers. Let us come close to Jesus and meet him. We meet him in prayer, but most of all in the Holy Eucharist. Having met him there, we like him will reach out to others.