Friday, October 7, 2016

Luke 17:11-19

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.

A larger world

It is not those who know themselves to be right that reveal the marks of salvation. The essence of faith appears in the presence of love and gratitude, the man at Jesus feet.

He has been drawn into a larger world where he knows the One who is the Source of every mercy. He recognizes the Divine Presence and falls at the feet of Jesus.

It is this that makes him well. Of the 10, he alone sees, truly recognizing what the others do not. The rest are cured and go their way. But filled with gratitude and love, he returns to the Source, to the face of God that has looked on him with mercy.

In seeing, he enters a world where mercy is not rare but present with every sunrise, with every act of grace, with every smile of love and welcome, with every smallest blessing that lights the way of our lives.

He enters a way of life marked by gratitude and love for the Source. He is saved, made well.

He knows he is part of something larger than himself, entering a universe where grace abounds despite and amid the troubles and struggles and destruction we hear about each day.


He becomes the bearer of blessing and joy because he sees. He knows.

He need no longer be controlled by anxiety or worries, for he lives in a world where Mercy lives. It touches us. It enlarges our hearts. It relieves us of our fears and anxieties just to know this.

He is what the world so badly needs. His joy is a sign that Mercy lives … and that we can live beyond the blame and anger and accusation that is malignant in our society.

Knowing the Mercy who is … we are well.


Pr. David L. Miller