28th Sunday

28^th Sunday C

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In the biblical world, no disease arouses more dread and fear in people’s hearts than leprosy and no individual is as tragic as the leper. Forced to abandon all contact with family and friends, he must camp outside towns and cities alone or with other lepers. When he encounters people on the road, he must shout from a distance – “unclean, unclean”. On hearing this, people flee as if confronted by a monster.

          The Hebrews would consider leprosy as a consequence of sin, that’s why a leper is considered one stricken and abandoned by God.

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          The narrative of the encounter of Jesus and the ten lepers shows that Jesus is aware of the provisions of the Law about lepers. He sends the lepers to the priests in Jerusalem to show his respect for the law. He does not share though the view that the leper is being punished for his sins.

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          Moved with pity for the lepers, Jesus uses his powerful word to cleanse, heal and give them a new life. By his action, he succeeds in reintegrating these outcasts into the family of God. The healed lepers can now worship God with the rest of his people.

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          It is significant, however, that while all ten lepers were cleansed on their way to Jerusalem, only to the Samaritan does. Jesus declare: “Your faith has saved you”. The Jewish lepers knew exactly what to do after they were cured: go to the priests of the temple. In the process, they fail to acknowledge the source of their salvation. It is only the Samaritan who returns to Jesus. For a Samaritan, to return to the Lord so full of gratitude –that’s quite bizarre. But it was the Samaritan who was not only cured of his illness but more so was saved!  Yes, you may have been cured… but were you also saved? Perhaps at the moment you are physically well and fit but what about your spiritual state? Does it need healing? Think about this. 

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Pahabol:

Be thankful even if you are in difficult circumstances.

This kind of thankfulness is real faith.

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