Gospel Reading
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 voices, 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."
Lk 17:11-19
Gospel Reflection
Praised be Jesus Christ!
We hear both in the First Reading and again in the Gospel about how thankful we need to be for the healing power of God in our life. In the First Reading, we hear of the commander Naaman being healed of his leprosy through the words of the prophet Elisha. We hear a similar account of 10 lepers being healed by Christ in the Gospel.
While none of us are afflicted with leprosy, we can be afflicted with ingratitude. Having faith can cause us to ask for blessings, but having a deeper faith allows us to be grateful for those blessings. Even in the smallest blessings and in the smallest victories, we should give praise and thanks to God.
May we never lose sight of from Whom all blessings flow. May we always rely on Jesus both in our need and in our joy.
As always, know of my prayers before Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
+Bishop Schlert