Sunday 28th (C) in Ordinary Time (13/10/2019)

Sunday 28th (C) in Ordinary Time
1st Reading (2Kgs 5:14-17), Responsorial Psalm: 97, 2nd Reading (2Tim 2:8-13)
Gospel text (Lk 17,11-19).
Gospel text (Lk 17,11-19): On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus was passing along the border between Samaria and Galilee, and as He entered a village, ten lepers came to meet him. Keeping their distance, they called to him, «Jesus, Master, have pity on us!». Then Jesus said to them, «Go and show yourselves to the priests». Now, as they went their way, they found they were cured.
One of them, as soon as he saw he was cleansed, turned back praising God in a loud voice, and throwing himself on his face before Jesus, he gave him thanks. This man was a Samaritan. Then Jesus said, «Were not all ten healed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God but this alien?». And Jesus said to him, «Stand up and go your way; your faith has saved you».

Reflexion: «Jesus, Master, have pity on us!»
Today, once again, we may substantiate how our attitude of faith may stir up Jesus Christ’s heart. The fact is that some lepers, overcoming the social dislike they all suffered, and quite boldly too, came to meet Jesus and —we could say in quotation marks— forced him with their trustworthy petition: «Jesus, Master, have pity on us!» (Lk 17:13).
Jesus’ reaction is immediate and sudden: «Go and show yourselves to the priests» (Lk 17:14). He, who is the Lord, shows his power, for «as they went their way, they found they were cured» (Lk 17:14).
This attests that the measure of Christ’s miracles is, precisely, the measure of our faith and confidence in God. What else are we to do —poor creatures— in front of God, but trust him? But with an operative faith, that forces us to abide by God’s wishes. Blessed cardinal Newman said: A minimum of common sense will suffice to understand that «nothing is too difficult to believe in if referring to He, whom nothing is too difficult for». If do not see more miracles is because we do not really “obligate” our Lord, lacking confidence and obedience to him. As St. John Crysostom said, «little faith can achieve a lot».
And, a flood of joy and gratitude crowned that faith in God when, «one of them, as soon as he saw he was cleansed, turned back praising God in a loud voice, and throwing himself on his face before Jesus, he gave him thanks» (Lk 17:15-16).
But…, what a shame! Out of ten benefiting from that great miracle, only one came back. How ungrateful are we when we so easily forget that all we have comes from God and that we owe everything to him! Let us resolve to oblige him from now on while demonstrating our gratitude and faith in him.
I remember that when our children were small, we always tried to ensure that they sent a thank you note for Christmas and birthday presents received. Just a little thing but important. It was a sign of appreciation of a blessing received and also reminded our children to be thankful. Hopefully we can do the same.
We are God’s children – so be thankful! Amen.
http://evangeli.net/gospel/day/2019-10-13