By Deacon Bill Richer
In the past few Sunday Gospel readings, especially in chapters 17 and now entering into chapter 18, we hear from Luke about what Jesus teaches us about faith and how we should develop it to serve God’s people.
This coming Sunday, Jesus continues on His journey to Jerusalem and heals 10 lepers. This story is a lesson about faith and having gratitude for receiving it. This gospel reminds us that faith is sometimes found in unlikely places. Today, Jesus, struck with pity, heals 10 lepers, but only one, a Samaritan of all people, returns to thank Him.
It is significant, therefore, that Jesus commends the Samaritan for his faith, which brings him his salvation.
Another lesson for us in this Gospel has to do with salvation. The Samaritan was the only one out of the 10 to thank Jesus for being healed. Through the Samaritans’ gratitude for this gift, he found salvation. Our salvation is found in recognizing the gifts we have been given, and then knowing to “whom” we must offer thanks.
Speaking of giving thanks, thank you to all who prayed for me while I have been recovering this past two weeks from a rather nasty virus. I am so grateful for the prayers and the healing that is slowly coming my way.
Please pray this next week for all of our young people who will be participating in their Confirmation Retreat this Sunday afternoon, as well as all the Confirmandi who will receive their sacrament on October 19. May God and all of his angels be with you all.