Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, 

“Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 

When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 

Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, 

“Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-19)

On his journey to Jerusalem, Jesus encountered ten men with leprosy who called out for mercy from a distance. Jesus healed the ten lepers, but only one—a Samaritan—returned to say thank you. In response, Jesus said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

This Gospel text encompasses several themes, including gratitude, faith, God’s inclusivity, and thanksgiving. We are also offered the image of who and what matters to Jesus and should, therefore, matter to us. 

In the Israelite community, a leper was declared ceremonially unclean by the priest (Leviticus 13:1), isolated, and often lived as an outcast until their death (Leviticus 13:45-46). The law prohibited anyone with a contagious disease from associating with the general community, as it was deemed necessary to prevent infectious diseases from becoming an epidemic.

These ten men were outsiders, marginalised. At least one of them was a Samaritan, which made him more of an outcast. Samaritans were the unpopular and disliked outsiders of Jesus’ time. In effect, we could say he was “doubly-marginalised”. 

As in other accounts, Jesus heals the lepers. When the Samaritan returns after being healed, Jesus doesn’t treat him as invisible or unloved because of how he looks, who he is, or where he comes from. Jesus engages with him, noticing and loving him. By focusing on the thankful Samaritan, Jesus shows that God's mercy and salvation are available to everyone. We should treat the marginalised in our communities in the same way.

There may also be an invitation to reach out and touch the marginalised parts of ourselves. To notice, engage, and love those hidden parts we’d rather keep unseen, but which most need healing. Jesus isn’t afraid of those places. He meets us there. And in seeing him, we may find a more profound love that makes us whole.

Who might be the unpopular, unlikable outsiders for our congregations and ourselves?

How can we cultivate a more grateful heart in our lives and relationships with God?

How can we more practically express gratitude for God’s blessings and extend that to others?

Reflections by Gillian Hugo

Heavenly Father,
you bless us so many times and in various ways. 

Yet, at times, we take these blessings for granted and forget to give you thanks. Fill our hearts with gratitude. 

Open our eyes to the marginalised. Help us to be visible examples of your love and healing.
Amen.

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