Where are the other nine?

As we know only too well, prejudice, ignorance, betrayal and social class can create apparently insurmountable divisions among us. But traditional barriers often crumble in the face of a common crisis or a great opportunity for a better life. This is particularly obvious nowadays in groups helping with recovery from addiction.

It is not surprising, then, that it happened among the lepers of Christ’s time. Lepers were total outcasts, banned from all contact with the settled community. Food was left for them by their families at designated outposts only. Living such a disrespected way of life, the century’s old and bitter barrier between Jews and Samaritans gave way to a survival camaraderie that led to a racially mixed group of lepers approaching Jesus for healing.

All were healed but only the one who was an outcast, through both race and health, returned to give thanks. The others felt that the healer was one of their own, so they were entitled to healing.