Luke 17:11-19
Dear Friends, The first words of today’s passage from Luke are “As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem”. (Lk 17:11) We have been with Jesus for fifteen weeks on this journey to Jerusalem and have three more to go. It has been a time of learning how to be a true disciple.When the journey to Jerusalem began, the Samaritans refused Jesus free passage through their territory. James and John responded by suggesting that they would call down fire from heaven. Jesus had a better idea. His non-violent response led to the inclusion of two Samaritans in stories of salvation: The Good Samaritan and today’s thankful and faith-filled Samaritan, cleansed of leprosy and recipient of salvation. These two individuals fit into Luke’s theme of inclusion flowing from the universal dimension of Jesus’ message. Both incidents highlight the Samaritans, the hated enemies of the Jews. Likewise, both stories further tear down the barriers of salvation. All are included in Jesus’ teaching and practice of the Kingdom.
Most Gospel stories are deeper and more challenging than they seem on the surface. Today’s story of the ten lepers is a good example. While it includes the limitless horizons of salvation, it also is an obvious lesson of gratitude. It is very helpful to understand the background. Any person with any skin disease was considered a leper. This, of course, included those with real leprosy which is very contagious and fatal. However, it also included many minor skin diseases. Lepers were totally isolated and could not come closer than fifty yards to any person as well as their loved ones. They had no participation in the social life of the community and were totally dependent on the generosity of others for all their needs.
So, when Jesus healed them, it was a big deal. But then the plot thickens. The Samaritan returns. “And one of them, realizing he had been cured, returned glorifying God in a loud voice, and he felt at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.” (Lk 17:15-16) It is easy to understand the incredible freedom the other nine lepers felt. They now could be with their loved ones. They now could participate in the life of the community. It is not difficult to grasp how they could be distracted and forgetful.
As important as the lesson of gratitude is, Luke had a deeper message for us in the person of the Samaritan. He realizes the healing goes beyond the physical and social components of the recovery. For the grateful Samaritan, it is an encounter with a saving and loving God. He could see in Jesus not just one to solve his physical and material problems but one who could satisfy the fundamental hunger of the human heart for a happiness and freedom that goes beyond the wonder of physical healing even with all its marvelous benefits. The Samaritan kept his eyes on Jesus and accepted the deeper healing he needed. So, Jesus could say, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” (Lk 17:19)
