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The attitude of gratitude

2Kings 5:14-17, Psalm 98, 2Timothy 2:8-13, Luke 17:11-19

Today’s readings present us with two wonderful and well-known biblical stories. They are biblical stories about healing, faith, and gratitude. They show how people respond to God’s help and how faith brings wholeness. The healing of Naaman the Leper and the healing of the Ten Lepers. Leprosy wasn’t just a terrible disease because of the physical ailments and discomforts but especially because it imposed an obligatory isolation from the community. No one wants to be isolated. We already understand this thanks to the Covid-19 lock down.

So, these ten people afflicted with leprosy cry out to Jesus. Struck with pity, Jesus heals all ten. However, only one is described as glorifying God and returning to thank Jesus. Jesus said, “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 one who returns is a Samaritan, a foreigner. In the Jewish circles in which Jesus lived, Samaritans were looked down upon because of the differences between the two communities in their observance of Judaism, they were marginalized. It is the marginalized, look downed upon Samaritan that returns to give thanks. It is significant that Jesus commends the Samaritan for his faith. Throughout Luke’s Gospel, faith is found in surprising places. The Gospels consistently portray how the unwelcome outsiders, the rejected, the marginalized and the poor are received positively by Jesus. He holds them up as shining examples of discipleship in his parables and miracles.

Also notice how the Samaritan expressed his gratitude: He gave glory to God in a loud voice and fell at Jesus’ feet to thank him. This attitude of praise lies at the heart of every disciple of Christ. Jesus tells the grateful man to GO! Go out and proclaim God’s praise! Why? Because his faith has saved him.

Paul suffers for preaching about Jesus, but he stays faithful. He reminds us that when people fail, Jesus remains true. Even though Paul is in chains and suffering on account of the Good News he preaches, he is confident that the Word of God is not chained! Not by ignorance, not by hatred, not by prejudice. Today, Jesus challenges us to ask ourselves as individuals and community: Whom do we openly or silently marginalize as outsiders? Perhaps their very presence among us might be an opportunity to learn something about God’s welcoming embrace. Let us be grateful and go into our world to proclaim with all our brothers and sisters the generous love of God.

Healing comes from God: Naaman is healed of leprosy after following God’s instruction. Jesus heals ten lepers, showing that God brings both physical and spiritual healing. Faith leads to healing: Naaman at first doubts but then obeys and is healed. The Samaritan leper trusts Jesus, returns to give thanks, and is told his faith has saved him. Gratitude is important: Naaman returns to thank Elisha after being healed. Only one of the ten lepers thanks Jesus, showing that many forget to be grateful. God’s mercy is for all: Naaman is not an Israelite, but God still heals him. The one grateful leper is a Samaritan, showing that God’s love is for everyone.