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.
Thought for the DayOur expectations about our entitlements because of our family background or our education or hard work, often blind us to how gratuitous all God’s gifts to us really are. Failure to appreciate the graciousness of such goodness leads to a hardening of the arteries of love that quickly deprives the heart of contentment, generosity and joy. Happiness is the flowering of appreciation and giving thanks. The Samaritan leper knew
this. He seized his opportunity.
Saying thanks opened up a new relationship with Jesus for him. Where are the other nine? Where are we?