Leprosy in Biblical times was a terrible thing.

Because these lepers believe, they begin to obey and go to the village.

They believed him -- that is, had faith -- and received their healing as a result.

Only priests, according to Jewish law, can declare a person healed of leprosy

-- clean and fit to re-enter society (Leviticus 14).

"One of them, when he saw he was healed , came back, praising God in a loud voice.

He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him -- and『he was a Samaritan. 』”

 

St. Albert the Great, bishop & doctor

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

Wisdom of Solomon 6:1-11

Listen, O kings, and understand;

Rulers of the most distant lands, take warning. Pay attention, you who rule multitudes and boast of the numerous subjects in your pagan nations! 

 

For authority was given you by the Lord, your kingship is from the Most High who will examine your works and scrutinize your intentions. 

 

If, as officials of his kingdom, you have not judged justly or observed his law or walked the way God pointed out, he will oppose you swiftly and terribly; his sentence strikes the mighty suddenly. 

 

For the lowly there may be excuses and pardon, but the great will be severely punished. 

 

For the Lord of all makes no distinction, nor does he take account of greatness. Both great and lowly are his work and he watches over all, but the powerful are to be judged more strictly. 

 

It is to you then, sovereigns, that I speak, that you may learn Wisdom and not stumble. For those who keep the holy laws in a holy way will be acknowledged holy, and those who accept the teaching will find in it their defense. 

 

Welcome my words, desire them and they will instruct you. 

 

Ps 82:3-4, 6-7 Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊     

Luke 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.""

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"God's way are not our ways."

Time and again Scripture reminds us that God's ways are not our ways. While we divide enemies from friends and the powerful from the powerless, extending favor to our friends and those with power, influence, or wealth, God acts by very different standards.

In the first reading, God has a stern warning for those who have power and authority. He lets them know that they will be judged severely if they do not exercise that authority in accord with God's laws. Their earthly power will not shield them from God's day of judgment. In fact, they will be judged even more strictly since great responsibility accompanies their power.

 

If they use this power to enrich themselves and abuse the vulnerable, they will be punished. Those who judge justly and lift up the poor and the lowly will be counted with the saints. Let us pray for all those in authority that they will seek God's wisdom as they make decisions.