Today’s 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.”
Today’s Gospel Reflection
In the Gospel of Luke 17:11-19, we encounter a profound moment of healing and gratitude. Jesus, on his way to Jerusalem, passes through Samaria and Galilee. Ten lepers, outcasts of society, approach him from afar, crying out for mercy: ‘Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!’ Moved by their plea, Jesus instructs them to go show themselves to the priests. As they obey, they are miraculously cleansed of their leprosy. Yet, only one returns, a Samaritan, falling at Jesus’ feet in thanksgiving, praising God aloud.
Jesus marvels at the absence of the other nine, asking, ‘Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?’ He then affirms to the grateful man, ‘Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.’ This Samaritan’s response highlights a deeper truth: healing of the body is wondrous, but gratitude opens the door to spiritual salvation.
The key teaching here is the transformative power of thanksgiving and faith. In a world quick to receive blessings but slow to acknowledge the Giver, this story invites us to pause and return to Jesus with hearts full of praise.
It reminds us that true wholeness comes not just from receiving, but from recognizing God’s hand in our lives and responding with devotion. The Samaritan, an outsider in Jewish eyes, models humility and faith that transcend cultural barriers, showing that God’s mercy is for all who seek it sincerely.
Let this inspire us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude daily, turning our healings into testimonies of faith. As we reflect on this passage, may we be among those who return to glorify God. Take a moment today to thank the Lord for His endless compassion. 🙏 Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gifts in our lives, seen and unseen. Help us to always return to You with grateful hearts, strengthening our faith through thanksgiving. Amen.