Come and See!

The Word…

“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).

Pondering the Word…

“Cleansed.” “Healed.” “Saved.” These are the words used to describe what happens when the lepers meet Jesus.

Leprosy, now called Hansen’s disease, is discussed many times in the Bible. Most Old Testament scholars question if leprosy was actually the disease described in Leviticus 13 (“skin blanch”) but whatever it was, it was considered highly contagious and reason for immediate ostracization. The rituals required from someone who had been “cleansed,” documented in Leviticus 14, were incredibly detailed and specific…and, I must say, a bit odd! These ten will have some hoops to jump through before they can return to their families, but I’m sure they all are more than happy to do what the law requires.

All ten lepers demonstrate faith in Jesus. We hear “as they were going, they were cleansed.” We get the impression they believe they will be healed, so set out to show themselves to the priests even before they are actually freed from the disease. They all have faith or at least feel it is worth a shot to trust this holy man. But the one person, the Samaritan, the foreigner—the one who heads in the other direction from the rest—comes back to say thank you. And while he, like the nine Jews, will return to his village to perform the complicated required rituals, it is a simple thank you that not only cleansed and healed him, but saved him.

Living the Word…

One might argue it’s just semantics, and it could be. σέσωκέν (sesōken): similar words in Greek mean healed, cured, made whole, saved. But let’s consider this. The Samaritan takes time to acknowledge the gift he has received. He shows reverence and respect as he kneels at Jesus’ feet. There is an intimacy that the others don’t experience as they rush off. Theirs is a “skin-deep” healing, while the Samaritan’s goes to his heart.

“If the only prayer we ever say is thank you, it will be enough” (Meister Eckhart). As you rush off into your busy days, dealing with the gifts and challenges they present, take just a few minutes before you hurry to complete the required “rituals” of life, to say a heartfelt thank you to the Giver of all gifts. It just might save you.

Mon, Oct 13: “Through him we have received the grace of apostleship” (Rom 1:1-7). In context, it sounds like Paul might be using “the royal ‘we’” or just referring to himself and his companions, but I’m sure he’d be fine with saying it applies to all of us! Provision: Be an apostle. The word in Greek, apóstolos, means “one who is sent out.” I don’t always approach the day ahead with that call. Do you? What would the day look like if you took seriously your call as an apostle sent out by Jesus? Love and joy would be front and center. Give it a try today.

Tue, Oct 14: “Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made” (Rom 1:16-25). When was the last time you allowed yourself to be swept up in awe by God’s creation? It could be viewing an incredible landscape or recognizing the many and varied faces of people you see on a city street; having a newborn wrap its tiny fingers around your finger or holding the hand of a loved one on their final journey. Provision: “Declare the glory of God.” We read in Psalm 19 today how the heavens proclaim God’s handiwork, and the voice of creation resounds. It is all the more important that we join our voices with theirs amid the constant barrage of bad news and violent discord. Pay close attention today: Where will you see and understand God’s power in what God has made?

Wed, Oct 15: “Woe to you Pharisees! …You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk” (Lk 11:42-46). Here we have Luke’s version of Matthew’s “hypocrite week,” when Jesus calls out the pretense and double standards of some of the elders. In this verse, he accuses them of leading the flock unknowingly into sin, a message that some so-called ministers who preach hate in Jesus’ name may want to note. Woe to you! Provision: Have an informed conscience. If you hear anything from the pulpit that speaks of hate or violence in Jesus’ name, you are being led astray. Use your conscience and your common sense. When Jesus says he “brings not peace, but the sword,” (Mt 10:34), he is not calling us to battle, but to realize the forces of evil and of those who would have us go backwards will rail against his message of love and inclusion. Don’t be fooled.

Thu, Oct 16: “For we consider a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Rom 3:21-30). In yesterday’s reading from Rom 2:1-11, Paul says God “will repay everyone according to his works…through perseverance in good works.” Is it “works of the law” versus “good works? “Are we justified by faith or works? Provision: It’s not either/or…it’s both/and. Those familiar with the writings of Fr. Richard Rohr will recognize one of his signature phrases. In the realm of faith, it’s often “both/and.” Paul explains that strict adherence to Jewish law is not a requirement for the Gentiles. They need only profess their faith in Christ and live that faith through good practices and works. Following the rules of your chosen practice is, of course, not a bad thing, but if you think that’s the only thing that matters, you’re in for a rude awakening; Furthermore, if following “the rules” leads you to violate Christ’s commandment to love, that calls for some deep prayer and guidance.

Fri, Oct 17: “Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna…. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid” (Lk 12:1-7). “Okay, Jesus, can I get some clarification here? First, you say I should be afraid of God who can cast me into Gehenna. Then, in the next breath, you tell me not to be afraid because God knows me so well that even the hairs on my head are counted! I’m confused.” Provision: “Do not be afraid.” Western Christianity focuses a lot on sin and redemption, more so than our fellow Christians in the east. Their focus tends to be on the mystical tradition and God’s divinity. We might be afraid that, because God knows us so well, God can find all kinds of reasons to condemn us. But perhaps Jesus’ invitation here is for us to focus less on ourselves and more on getting to know God better. Once we focus on God and God’s great love and mercy, we will understand: there is no reason to be afraid. Sit in prayer with this today.

Sat, Oct 18: “Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your faithful ones bless you” (Ps 145). We started the week with thanks, so let’s end it that way too. God’s creation, all of God’s works, give praise and glory and thanks just by their very existence, being exactly what God made them to be. We are among the works of God, and we “declare the glory of God” by being what God made us to be. Provision: Tap into your essential goodness and give thanks. Layer upon layer of life’s sediment can cause us to lose touch with our essential goodness, our God-image. Spend time today asking God to help you see the person God made you to be. Give praise and glory and thanks to God for everything. Ask God to help you clear away whatever blinds you to God’s image within you. Bless God’s holy name.