Wednesday of Week 32 in Ordinary Time (Year I)
Wisdom 6:1-11 | Psalm 81(82):3-4,6-7 | Luke 17:11-19
The Miracle of the Ten Lepers is a familiar Gospel passage, and it never fails to call forth questions, either quietly in the depths of my heart, or aloud in the celebrant’s sermon:
- Do we unconditionally trust in God to protect and guide us?
- Do we recognize the gifts and miracles that He has worked, and continues to work, in our lives?
- Do we thank Him constantly for our lives and experiences?
But there’s one part of this Gospel passage that always gives me pause:
As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him. They stood some way off and called to him, ‘Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.’ (Luke 17:12-13)
The lepers were required by Jewish law to maintain their distance from others. Jesus uncharacteristically does nothing visible, merely telling them to go to the priests for assessment on their condition, and whether there were to be permanently isolated from the community.
I can imagine their confusion at this point: “Wait, isn’t this the miracle-working rabbi everyone’s talking about? Why isn’t he doing anything?” But they went anyway in obedience and trust.
So why aren’t we doing the same, when Jesus asks us to:
Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
Why do we not draw closer to him each day, accepting His invitation to trust in His providence?
Why do we instead accept His bountiful gifts of life and health…and run away from Him instead, like the other nine lepers?
Are we afraid that He’ll ask us to do something that we don’t want to do?
Why do we behave like spiritual lepers?
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Jesus isn’t asking most of us to withdraw into hermetic poverty, forsaking all worldly goods and flagellate ourselves into painful oblivion, so why do we act like He’s asking us to upend our lives and be crucified beside Him?
He specifically told the one grateful leper:
‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.’ (Luke 17:19)
Our lives are still ours to live, but can we trust that He knows what’s best for us, and prioritize His loving commands over our own earthly desires?
Our will is still ours, but can we will ourselves to do His will?
After all, He’s just asking us to love God, and love others in the same way.
So the next time we’re at church, let’s draw closer to the altar and open our hearts and minds to the One who saves us.
Let’s not sit as far as possible from the sanctuary, with arms crossed and frequent glances at the time, bored out of our skulls.
Let’s pray every day for guidance and strength to hold firm to His teachings.
Let’s not be lone rangers of our destiny, merrily barreling down earthly paths of sensual delight and uncaring power over our fellow men.
Lord, You know us better than we know ourselves. Help us find the courage to set aside time each day to know, love and serve You. Help us see You in everyone we meet, and treat them with the mercy that You show us every day. Help us be worthy to be called “children of God”. Amen.