Wis 6:1-11 Ps 82:3-4, 6-7 Lk 17:11-19

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

In today’s Gospel, we encounter the story of the ten lepers. Ten lepers were cleansed, cured of their ailments. They asked and they definitely received. Jesus saved them from a life of suffering, pain, and loneliness. He heard their cries and He responded with love and understanding. Yet only one returns to give thanks. Only one realized what had occurred and understood the magnitude of the miracle.

And what kind of miracle had just occurred? Well the obvious answer is one of healing, but I believe it goes deeper than that. Perhaps greater than Jesus' healing the lepers was the one leper who returned. For the one to return meant that he realized he did not come about his healing himself. He knew it had been Jesus and his returning to give praise shows that he knew he was also undeserving. For what person who gets what they believe they deserve, or what they believe they have earned, ever truly thanks anyone but themselves?

Perhaps even more so than that, the leper realized the truth about this life on Earth. He finally comprehended the fact that we are not entitled to amazing health, great days, or perfect families. In fact, we are not entitled to anything. The goodness that comes into our lives has only one source, and that is God. We often find ourselves blaming God for the bad days and crying out to Him for the injustice we feel. Yet where does this sense of injustice come from? God never promised us a rose garden, at least not in this life. In fact, He promised us a life of suffering and pain, a life of carrying our crosses just like Jesus did. It’s a bit ironic that the way we feel life should not be, is the one way we were promised it would be.

Now I can see some thinking that this is dreadful and depressing being promised a life of pain and suffering. In actuality though, it is quite the opposite. Just as the leper had faith in Jesus’ saving powers, we too can have faith in Him. We must learn to trust that God will never give us something we cannot handle, nor will He leave us. Learning to trust God to bless us and love us, even though we are undeserving, is probably the hardest thing anyone can do. Yet if you do, how much sweeter could your life be viewed? How much more do the little blessings and the small things that go right, mean? How much more obvious is it that God is active in your life, God is blessing and loving you each day, every minute? When we know that we should receive the worst, but are given the best, how awesome is that?

So today, let us be like the one lonely leper to return. Instead of basking in our own self-created worthiness, let us bask in the greatness of God. Let us praise and thank Him for loving us unconditionally, for giving us the blessings He has. Let us return to Him in gratitude when we realize the wonders He has granted us. And let us pray to be given the faith of the one leper, the faith that will save us.