The Ten Lepers – 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time (13.10.13

28th Sunday of Ordinary Time (13.10.13

The ten lepers:

In some ways this is one of the most incredible stories in the entire Gospel.  Here are ten extremely fortunate people, who had been cured of the most dreaded disease of all – leprosy.  Leprosy was the ultimate uncleanness, which cut off its victim from the community.

These ten desperate lepers came to Jesus and were cured by him; then rejoicing, they went home, showed themselves to their priest, and got a clean bill of health.  It is easy to imagine their excitement at the miraculous cure bestowed on them by this Wonder-worker, in answer to their earnest plea.  We can visualise them dancing back with such unbounded exuberance to their family and friends and recounting the Great things the Lord had done for them.  It is understandable too how they each became caught up in the various celebrations in their honour, and then how they wanted to catch up on all that had happened during their exile.

The busyness of life took over, and only one of them spared a thought for the One who had lifted them from their pit of despair, and healed them of their dreadful disease, giving them back their dignity, and a chance to start again.  It took some courage for this stranger – a Samaritan – to retrace his steps and find and express his gratitude to this Jew who had cured him, but he was genuinely sincere about giving thanks, and followed the dictates of his conscience.

The other nine had excuses – some reasonable and most plausible, others shallow and petty, still others shabby and unworthy – yet they were effective in preventing them from doing the one thing that cried out to heaven to be done… to return and give thanks.

We have all been touched by Jesus.  We have encountered Him especially in the sacraments.  What has changed in our lives as a result of our encounter with Jesus! How has it affected our values, our concerns, our life-style?   Are we like the Samaritan who allowed himself to be changed by Christ, or do we harbour some inner leprosy of mind and heart, remaining the same old people with the same hard attitudes, the same mean ways, selfish habits, worldly concerns, shallowness and superficiality of life

Perhaps we  might spend a few moments looking deep into our own hearts and asking why we are often reluctant to say “thank you”.  Could it be that we take these graces for granted;  or perhaps we resent the fact that we needed help in the first place;  or do we harbour some suspicion about “good Samaritans” and  wonder about their motives!

Whatever the reason, we know that ingratitude diminishes us and those who help us

However, whenever we gather together around the table of the Lord to celebrate and be spiritually nourished by the Eucharist – the sacrament of thanksgiving – we thereby give praise and thanks to God, especially for the blessing of those ordained to administer His healing, merciful love and guidance.

There is so much to be grateful to God for in our lives:

“Thank you Lord, that I can see – so many are blind.

                        Thank you Lord, that I can hear – so many are deaf.

                         Thank you, Lord, that I can walk – so many are crippled.

                         Thank you Lord, that I have food – so many are hungry.

                        Thank you, Lord that I have shelter – so many are homeless.

                        Thank you, Lord for the touch of a friendly hand – so many are lonely.

                        Thank you Lord for sharing your cross with me – it helps me to grow and discover who I am.