28th Sun Pagola C

Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time ©

Luke 17, 11-19

José Antonio Pagola

Belief without gratitude

The story begins by narrating the cure of a group of ten lepers on the outskirts of Samaria. But this time Luke does not stop at the details of the healing, but in the reaction of one of the lepers on finding himself cured. The evangelist carefully describes all the steps, for he wants to shake up the routine faith of not a few Christians.

   Jesus has asked the lepers to present themselves to the priests to obtain the authorization that will allow them to rejoin society. But one of them,  a  Samaritan by birth, on seeing that he  was cured, instead of going to the priests, returns to find Jesus. He feels a new life has begun for him. Everything will be different in future: he will be able to live a more dignified and happy life. He knows to whom he owes his new found dignity. He needs to meet Jesus.

   He returns “praising God in a loud voice.”   He knows that the saving power of Jesus can only have its source in God. Now he feels something new for that Good Father of whom Jesus speaks. He will never forget him. He will in future live giving thanks to God. He will praise him with all his might. Everyone must know that he feels loved by him.

   On meeting Jesus, he throws himself at his feet giving him thanks. His companions have gone on their way to meet the priests, but he knows that Jesus is his only savior. So he is here at his side thanking him. He has found the best gift from God in Jesus.

   At the conclusion of the story, Jesus speaks to ask three questions to express his surprise at what happened. They are not addressed to the Samaritan at his feet. They contain the message Luke wants heard in Christian communities.

   “Were not the ten made clean?” Were not all cured? Why do they not recognize what they have received from Jesus? “The other nine, where are they?” Why aren’t they there?   Why are there so many Christians who live without almost ever giving thanks to God? Why do they not feel specially grateful to Jesus? Do they not know him? Does he mean nothing new to them?

   “Has no one except this foreigner returned to give glory to God?” Why have people who feel a real admiration for and gratitude to Jesus  given up religious practice, while some Christians feel nothing special towards him? Benedict XVI mentioned a few years ago that an agnostic who seeks God may be nearer him than a Christian of routine faith who carries on because of tradition and inherited practice. A faith that does not produce joy  and gratitude in believers is a sick faith.