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