Tuesday, 12 November 2013

Wednesday, November 13, 2013 - How often have you thanked God for the wonder of your life? Will you do that today? How?

To read the texts click on the texts: Wis 6:1-11; Lk 17:11-19

The miracle of the healing of ten lepers is found only in the Gospel of Luke. The mention of Samaria at the beginning of this miracle story prepares us for the Samaritan who gave thanks at the end. Lepers were not allowed to live within the city limits and had to live outside (Num 5:2-3). They also had to cry out that they were unclean when anyone approached them (Lev13:45-46). This is why Luke has the lepers in this story stand at a distance (17:12) and call out in unison addressing Jesus as Master, which only disciples do in the Gospel of Luke. Their cry for mercy would ordinarily have been a cry for alms, but in this case, it seems to be for much more. When Jesus sees them, he issues a command that they go and show themselves to the priests and as they obeyed this command, they were made clean. It is interesting to note that the healing here takes place after they obey Jesus’ command. 

One of the ten on realising that he was healed began to praise God and his action of falling prostrate at Jesus’ feet is an indication that he recognised God as acting in and through Jesus. Though ten were made clean, only one of them and that too a Samaritan who was despised by the Jews and regarded as an outcast and foreigner has returned to thank God. The faith of the man here is shown not before but after his healing. This results in the man receiving not just healing, but salvation.


Gratitude does not come naturally to many of us. Before the favour can be done for us, we are willing to do anything for the person who can do us that favour. However, often once the favour has been done, we forget to thank. While the person concerned might not expect any thanks from us, it is our responsibility to acknowledge our gratitude by our thanks.
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3 comments:

  1. Unknown12 November 2013 at 23:00

    One reason for not sufficiently thanking God, could be that we take for granted so many things in life.

    It is noticed that even small children visit the church before exam but after the exam, they discuss the question paper and go home. We need to make a conscious effort not only just to ask for things but to thank God.

    Thank you Fr. Errol for your daily thoughts which really help to celebrate the Mass in the morning.

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  2. Anonymous13 November 2013 at 12:49

    Yesterday I wrote about not expecting thanks from the recipients of favours. However verses 17 and 18 give the impression that Jesus expected thanks from all the 10. It is my feeling that this expectation reflects the human nature of Jesus and NOT His Divine nature, which is reflected in the last verse 19.

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  3. Fr. Errol Fernandes SJ13 November 2013 at 23:01

    The focus is not on the thanks but on the words "THIS FOREIGNER". Luke's is the only Gospel which has the parable of the "Good Samaritan" which is about prejudice and stereotyping. The point of this parable is that "THIS FOREIGNER" i.e. the Samaritan is GOOD.

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