The storyline has been the same. Only one returned to give thanks to Jesus. The other nine were the villains. But were they? Didn’t Jesus order them, “Show yourselves to the priests.” That’s what the nine did. They simply obeyed Jesus. 

You know why this one leper returned? First, because he was a Samaritan. Jews would have nothing to do with Samaritans. This means the priests would certainly turn him away. He couldn’t enter the holy place of worship. While there were cleansing rituals for those who got healed from leprosy, there was no way he could be cleansed from being a Samaritan. This leper had nowhere else to go.

Second, there is no law against gratefulness because it’s higher than the law. A creature’s most natural expression of gratefulness is sincere worship. It is futile to contain it.

Third, his Samaritan heart couldn’t explain it. He just knew. He told himself, “Jesus is the Eternal High Priest. Jesus is the True Temple. Here is God and His grace, made visible. I’m not going anywhere else.” Jon Escoto (faithatworkjon@gmail.com)

Reflect:

Return to God in praise today. Be sincerely grateful for what He is and for everything He has done in your life.

Jesus, I’m forever grateful that You have cleansed me from spiritual leprosy. I was once an outcast, now an heir of the King Most High. 

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin, pray for us.

Obedience to legitimate authority is an important part of the Christian life. God has given authority to earthly rulers in order to make His authority present. The legitimacy of earthly authority rests in its obedience to God’s law. Thus, we are not required to obey a law that has no moral foundation in the Gospel. 

¹ Beloved: Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise. ² They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone. ³ For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, ⁵ not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, ⁷ so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. 

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6

R: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. 

¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ² In verdant pastures he gives me repose; Beside restful waters he leads me; ³ he refreshes my soul. (R) He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. ⁴ Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) ⁵ You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) ⁶ Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (R)

Gospel | Luke 17:11-19

Gratitude is an essential part of receiving salvation. When someone is ungrateful, it can be annoying. It is also rude to be ungrateful to those who have done something for you. Let us be humble enough to recognize their goodness and to appreciate their thoughtfulness. 

Gospel Acclamation

In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

¹¹ As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him ¹³ and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” ¹⁴ And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. ¹⁵ And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; ¹⁶ and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. ¹⁷ Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? ¹⁸ Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” ¹⁹ Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

Reflect:

What would healing mean for a leper? What does healing mean for you?

Read the Bible in one year! Read MALACHI 1 - 3 today.

Jesus cured ten lepers but only one came back to thank Him. In the process, Jesus recognized His faith and gratitude. Salvation came to that grateful leper. As for the other nine who were cleansed, we do not know what happened to them. They were cleansed of their leprosy but they missed the opportunity to be saved. The Gospel reminds us of the importance of faith and thanksgiving to God. Faith and gratitude are very much connected. When we have faith in God, we cannot but recognize His goodness and end up expressing our gratitude. Our gratitude, in the process, deepens our faith and makes us avail of salvation.

Life was difficult for lepers during the time of the Lord. Leprosy was incurable. They suffered the stigma of being treated as unclean and sinners. They were not allowed to mix with the community. Their place was outside the city walls and they lived with their fellow lepers and unwanted citizens. They were left there to die in pain. You can just imagine their happiness when Jesus attended to them and healed them. They were not only astounded by the miracle but also realized the opportunity to go back to their families and live like any other normal person. Those were enough reasons to be thankful for. But the other nine were so entitled or unmindful that they did not even bother to thank Jesus.

But the one who went back saw more and got more. Jesus saw his humility and faith. His humility provided for another miracle—his spiritual healing. Faith and thanksgiving are not only avenues for physical healing but also spiritual healing. 

What about Jesus questioning the gratitude of the nine lepers? Was He in need of thanksgiving? Remember that He is God. He is perfect and fulfilled in Himself. He does not need our thanksgiving. Jesus knew that gratitude makes us humble. Humility opens us for more graces and helps us recognize our dependence on God. Fr. Benny Tuazon

Reflection Question:

How many times have you received healing from the Lord? How many times have you given thanks for the graces He bestowed on you? Are you faithful even during sickness and weakness? 

For the many times You have healed me, Lord, thank You. Amen. 

Today, I pray for: _____________________________________