The Gratitude Of The Samaritan Leper
Introduction
The Jewish kings were God’s representatives to the people by virtue of their anointing. Now comes the author of the book of Wisdom and says that also pagan rulers have received their authority from God. They must exercise it wisely for doing good, in accordance with God’s law, because they have to give an account to God.
In the account of the cure of the ten lepers, Luke stresses the contrast between the nine Jews who, after their cure, go to comply with the rules of the law, but forget about gratitude, and the Samaritan who returns to thank Jesus. We too, often forget to be grateful for gifts received. Maybe it is a bit humiliating to be reminded of our dependence on others… Let us not forget that God’s love comes to us usually through people who care and help. For all the good done to us, particularly through Jesus Christ, we give thanks in this Eucharist, this thanksgiving.
1 Reading: Wisdom 6:1-11
Hear, O kings, and understand; learn, you magistrates of the earth’s expanse! Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude and lord it over throngs of peoples! Because authority was given you by the Lord and sovereignty by the Most High, who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels. Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom, you judged not rightly, and did not keep the law, nor walk according to the will of God, Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you, because judgment is stern for the exalted–For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test.
For the Lord of all shows no partiality, nor does he fear greatness,
Because he himself made the great as well as the small, and he provides for all alike; but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends. To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin. For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed shall be found holy, and those learned in them will have ready a response. Desire therefore my words; long for them and you shall be instructed.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 82:3-4, 6-7
R. (8a) Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.
Defend the lowly and the fatherless;
render justice to the afflicted and the destitute.
Rescue the lowly and the poor;
from the hand of the wicked deliver them. R.
I said: “You are gods,
all of you sons of the Most High;
yet like men you shall die,
and fall like any prince.” R.
Alleluia: 1 Thessalonians 5:18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In all circumstances, give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 17:11-19
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 voice, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. 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. 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.”
Commentary
Today’s Gospel strikes at the very heart of the gospel message. To realize what God has done for us is to live a grateful response. The lepers first cry out to Jesus for a cure. He hears them and then tells them to present themselves before the priest. It was required in Israelite society that one who had been afflicted with leprosy or a skin disorder be quarantined and distanced from the community until a priest, after examination, pronounced the person cured. As the lepers leave Jesus’ presence, they are cured of their illness. Only one of them returned to Jesus to thank him, and this man was a Samaritan, a member of that heterodox group of people from whom the Jews distanced themselves. Jesus commends the man’s faith and sends him on his way.
The reading from Wisdom today is addressed to royalty and those who hold civil authority. They are told very clearly that they have no “blank check” but will be held to a serious account of the way they exercise authority. If they disregard the rule of law and the will of God, judgment wall come quickly. Mercy will not be extended in the same way it is for the lowly person; those who are powerful will be put to the test. The authorities should be steeped in the law and observant of the holy precepts. If they do so, they will be respected and honoured.
Violations of the principles of today’s readings are met frequently enough in the course of our lives. We know people whose generosity and kindness have been repaid unkindly.
We have also seen people fall from great heights because they did not observe the very law that they were to uphold. It all proves the saying that virtue is its own reward. But above all, we should turn frequently to the prayer of thanksgiving. Like the leper, we too have been cured—and more than once—because of a forgiving and loving God.
Blessing
“Go on your way, your faith has made you well.” May these be words we hear from the Lord as we give him thanks in this Eucharist. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!