The Gospel (Luke 17, 11-19) we hear today speaks about the Lord Jesus’ cleansing of the ten lepers. They stood at a distance from the Lord and begged Him to have pity on them because they were unclean. They knew that the Lord could do something to make them clean. The command of the Lord for them to show themselves to the priests is a test of faith and a call to obedience to the law. A leper can only show himself to a priest if he is cured of leprosy. Showing himself to a priest is a necessary ritual for him to be declared clean. The lepers’ act of faith, following the command of the Lord, made them clean while they were on their way to show themselves to the priests. But only one of them, a Samaritan, realizing that he had been healed, returned to the Lord with gratitude. Then the Lord asked, “Where are the other nine?”.

This Gospel reminds us of the important responses we must have when we encounter the Lord who gives us the grace we need: faith, obedience, gratitude and humility. The Samaritan’s faith and obedience to the command of the Lord healed him not only physically but also spiritually and because of this, he returned to the Lord with profound gratitude. With all humility, he fell at the Lord’s feet praising God and giving thanks. He recognized the Lord as the source of his healing and salvation.

We, too, are called to obey the Lord’s word with faith even if the total healing or the grace we ask from Him is yet to come. Showing our gratitude to the Lord for the blessings and graces we have received is a way of keeping our relationship with Him and opens us to receive more. We must not take the Lord’s blessings for granted. We must not imitate the other nine lepers’ attitude that after they had been healed, they forgot to acknowledge the Lord who healed them. We can also learn from the faith of the Samaritan. Even though he was considered an “outsider” in the context of the Lord’s time, he possessed a kind of faith that brought him to salvation. Sometimes, the people we neglect because they are marginalized or outcasts in society will make us realize how it is to have faith in God and express profound gratitude to Him in all humility.

As we continue to follow the Lord who provides us graces and blessings which are immeasurable, we ask ourselves, “Have I thanked God enough?”. Faith gives us the opportunity to experience the Lord’s blessings. Gratitude brings us closer to the Lord and humility makes us kneel down, praise and thank the Lord with all our hearts.

Now it is our act of faith that determines our way to salvation. Are we going to be like the nine other lepers who did not show gratitude or be like the Samaritan, who in faith, upon encountering the Lord, expressed his heart by thanking and praising God for the grace He has given him?

-Fra. Ronel

IN FAITH AND GRATITUDE, I FOLLOW HIM

Faith, obedience, and gratitude. The gospel highlights the significance of having a strong faith, which requires obedience and acknowledgment of our loving and merciful Creator through gratitude. True faith is trusting God even during difficult times, even at times that we do not understand why things happen as they do, or even at times of isolation. A strong trust and reliance on His goodness will keep our faith ignited in our hearts and will carry us through.

Obedience is our response to His grace, and gratitude is acknowledgment of His goodness. The lepers’ obedience to Jesus demonstrates their faith in His power to heal. Have we asked God for anything and believed that He will provide? The lepers did. Have we paused to thank Him for every answered prayer? Only one leper did. I, myself, have to ask this question, for gratitude is an expression of faith. By thanking Him, our hearts become more receptive to His love, and it’s us loving Him back. To love and to trust God is to obey Him. Do our actions reflect Christian values? Have I been patient, kind, and charitable?

In living our life with faith in God, we must trust Him, obey Him, and thank Him. We must ask ourselves every time, ‘How can I live my faith today’? — Judy

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Personal:

If I were one of the ten lepers, would I be the one who came back to thank Jesus?

Practical:

How can I make “thank You, Lord” a daily habit — not just words, but real gratitude?

PRAYER TO START THE WEEK

Lord Jesus, thank You for all the blessings You’ve given me, even the ones I often overlook. Help me to be like the one leper who came back — grateful, humble, and full of faith. Teach me to trust You, especially when life gets hard or confusing. May my words, actions, and choices show my love and gratitude to You every day. Amen