12th Sunday of Luke
Sometimes, what’s expected doesn’t happen.
And, sometimes, what’s unexpected, and maybe even impossible, happens.
That’s the case with today’s story.
A group of lepers of various backgrounds, including those who worship the same God as Jesus, come to him and beg him for help.
We know who Jesus is, so it’s no surprise he’s able to heal them.
But, if you were there at the time, you’d probably think, “People aren’t miraculously healed. It just doesn’t happen that way.”
But, the unexpected happens: the lepers are healed.
But, what happens next is the real surprise.
Because a few of the lepers were 2nd Temple Jews, just like Jesus, we expect them to return and praise God. After all, this is central to worship.
But, only the foreigner returns to give proper praise to God.
Scripture: Luke 17:12-19 (click here to read)
Bottom Line: We experience a deeper level of salvation by praising God.
Discussion Questions
- Sometimes is seems like miracles don’t happen. But, I bet, if you think about it, you’ve seen God at work in your life. In what ways have you seen God present in your life?
- Many parents teach their kids to write ‘thank you’ notes to friends and family members who have given them Christmas or birthday presents. How do you say ‘thank you’ to God? Have you said ‘thank you’ lately? Why or why not?
- How does thanking someone impact your relationship with them? How do you think saying ‘thank you’ to God changes your relationship with him?
Moving Forward
Jesus shows us the irony of our world: the unexpected (a miraculous healing) is possible, but the expected (giving praise and thanks to God) is rarely a reality.
If this story were retold today, perhaps, we’d hear a story about some Orthodox Christians who take advantage of God and an atheist who praises Jesus.
Stories like this always cause us to pause.
Perhaps, they even upset us.
But, Luke is desperately telling us that healings, such as this one, bring salvation to the world.
But, only when God’s initiative is recognized in Jesus and our response is like that of the leper who returned to Jesus, will a relationship between us and Christ become possible.
For us today, the Divine Liturgy is the vehicle by which we can run to Jesus and praise God. It’s how we can become that thankful leper and find a deeper experience of salvation.
Changing Your Mind
“‘Was none found returning to give glory to God except only this man of another people?’ And he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has saved you.’” (Luke 17:18-19)