Reflections on Scripture | Wednesday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Luke 17:11-19

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

The interesting thing in this particular miracle story is the issue of who was the healer. They didn't immediately, when Jesus asked them to go to the temple, didn't experience the healing, but it was on their way to the temple.

And when they got to the temple, they went through the rituals of purification and maybe they left there thinking, well, I went through the right source and the temple is what I believe in. But the Samaritan was the only one that really understood the meaning of Jesus’ miracles, because what he wanted those miracles to say is that Jesus and only Jesus and His message would heal the people.

Closing Prayer

Father, we turn to our religion for sacraments that call us into an awareness of who you are, and it's easy to get confused as to whether the religion is doing the work or whether it's you directly, individually in our lives. Help us to see the distinction between your presence within us and the work of the church. They work together, but the balance can only be achieved by you. You are the source of everything and your presence in us is the key to the kingdom. And we ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

Kyle Cross