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 voice, 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."
REFLECTION
...your faith has saved you."
"Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" ......And as they were going, they were cleansed.
When we find ourselves or our loved ones struggling to survive, struggling with an illness or addiction or going down the wrong path what should we do? We cry out to God, no matter how far away we find ourselves. We ask for mercy. God knows all and hears us.
His healing may not be what we imagined or wanted it to be, but we are asked to trust as the lepers (they went to present themselves to the priests before the actual healing!). Just as Namaan, the leper, obeyed Elisha, we are told to obey and trust God.
Only one, the Samaritan, returns to glorify God in a loud voice and give thanks just as Namaan did with Elisha. The other nine did not.
This leper received more than the other nine. His faith saved him. Faith in Jesus leads to salvation.
We are to discern the problem, ask for help, obey, trust and glorify God, with joy, praise and thanksgiving. It is this faith that will save us. So when we have those days when we think we have lost Him and we are alone, seek Him and call out to Him for mercy. We know He will hear us. Do not despair but continue on through our tears There will be days of silence and the Lord seems far away but don't give up. Every faithful step on this walk is part of finding Him. It purifies our love, stripping us of self. God has not abandoned us but fortifies with faith.
Every day we see His love in action in Confession and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass of praise and thanksgiving. Take advantage of what we have in front of us.
Alleluia, alleluia.
"In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus". Alleluia, alleluia
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