Reading: Luke 17:11-19

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.

Reflection

Of the ten lepers who were cleansed, one was a Samaritan—an outsider. Being a leper made a person unclean so those who were healed by Jesus would need to show themselves to a priest to be declared clean again. However, the outsider Samaritan did not necessarily need to show himself to a priest. There were no other hoops to jump through. No other steps to being whole again. He could simply accept his healing as a gift and respond with thanks. That’s it. Just thanks. Reminds me of grace. Grace received. Nothing else to do on our part. Just be thankful.

–Ruth Gates

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for healing us. Thank you for your grace. May we more quickly move on to the work or your kingdom—love God; love others.

Amen.