of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
OCTOBER 9, 2016 – WEEK TWENTY EIGHT – SUNDAY (C) – THE TEN LEPERS

OCTOBER 9, 2016 – WEEK TWENTY EIGHT – SUNDAY (C) – THE TEN LEPERS

Luke | Meditations | Sunday | Week Twenty-Eight

(Luke 17:11-19)

Prayer – Come, Holy Spirit. Fill me with a spirit of thanksgiving.

Imagination: (Picture the one leper returning to give thanks)

Context:

This story is somewhat like a parable and ends with Jesus pronouncing the saving faith of the Samaritan. Obviously, the group consisted of nine Jewish lepers and one Samaritan. Their illness bonded them together and overcame their religious differences. The Samaritan emulates Naaman, a Syrian, who returned to thank the prophet Elisha for healing him of leprosy. (2 Kg 5:15).

Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)

As Jesus was going to Jerusalem, he passed through Samaria and Galilee. In a certain town, ten lepers met him. Standing far away, they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, master, have pity on us.”

Seeing them, Jesus said, “Go and show yourselves to the priest.” As they went, they were cleansed. One, seeing he was cleansed, went back, glorifying God in a loud voice. Falling on his face, he gave thanks. He was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? Where are the other nine? Is there no one found to return and give thanks except this stranger.” Jesus said, “Get up and go your way. Your faith has made you whole.”

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)

  1. All ten realize their unique opportunity. Jesus has come to their village.
  2. United in prayer, all ten “lift up their voices” and ask for pity.
  3. All are obedient. All go to the priest. All are cleansed.
  4. Nine return home, thinking they have no further responsibility.
  5. Only one leper returns to Jesus. By faith, he receives total cleansing.
  6. Jesus is disappointed. He wanted all ten to return, so he could say, “Your faith has made you whole”.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  1. O Jesus, come to me today.
  2. I will cry out to you!
  3. Cleanse me of my faults, my sins, my leprosies.
  4. Have pity on me, Jesus. I am a sinner.
  5. Let my voice be loud in thanksgiving.
  6. You have more blessings waiting for me when I return to give thanks.
  7. O Jesus, make me whole.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own)

  1. I will thank those who have helped me in the past – parents, teachers, friends.
  2. All day long, I will give thanks for God’s blessings.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation)

“Go on your way, your faith has made you whole.”