Scripture Scribbles: October 9, 2022

the 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 voices, 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."

the devotion

Jesus calls me - all of us - to be grateful and know where our healing comes from, may it be physical, emotional, or spiritual.

What strikes me most in the Gospel reading is, “And one of them, realizing he had been healed” went and thanked Jesus.

Is it possible that the other nine didn’t realize they were healed or where the healing came from?

How often do I cry out in desperation to the Lord for a healing here or a grace there and when I receive it, fail to say thank you? How often do I still grumble in self-pity instead of glorifying Him when circumstances occur beyond my control? “Why me?”  “I’m the only one suffering.” More than I would like to admit. I do not say this to downplay or invalidate the suffering we all experience, but to ponder on whether or not I am willing to open my eyes and see the growth happening in my life in the suffering, to see Him calling me to return to Him and realize the healing He is doing. While it may look different from what I want or imagine or lack feeling, I must trust, stay  grateful and faithful in knowing the Lord has my best interest at heart. Through His mercy He will glorify my suffering to its fullest realization when I am, God-willing, united with Him in Heaven. It will all make sense.

Is anything keeping you from realizing God’s healing love in your life? May we be the healed leper who returns to him in gratitude.

Today’s devotion was written by Diana Giard