Here is a biblical commentary of the Gospel reading for the Second Sunday of October. The passage is Luke 17:11-19, per the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C. This passage describes the healing of ten lepers by Jesus, with only one returning to express gratitude.
Introduction
Luke 17:11-19 recounts Jesus healing ten lepers, with only one, a Samaritan, returning to give thanks. This passage elucidates themes of gratitude, mercy, faith, and the inclusion of the marginalized within the realm of divine grace.
Exegetical Analysis
Verse 11: Journey Through the Border
The passage begins with Jesus traveling “along the border between Samaria and Galilee.” This geographic detail is significant as it places Jesus at a crossroads between different cultural and religious groups, symbolizing his ministry’s inclusivity.
Verses 12-14: Cry for Mercy
The lepers “stood at a distance” adhering to cultural laws that marginalized and isolated them due to their condition. Their unified cry for mercy, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” reveals their faith in Jesus’ ability to heal, transcending societal divisions and pointing towards the universal need for divine intervention.
Verse 14: Healing on the Go
“As they went, they were cleansed.” The healing occurs as the lepers obediently follow Jesus’ directive to show themselves to the priests. Their faith actualizes healing, echoing the Lucan theme that salvation is accessible to those who respond affirmatively to Jesus’ call.
Verses 15-16: The Grateful Samaritan
Upon realizing his healing, the Samaritan glorifies God and returns to Jesus with gratitude, illustrating a transformative encounter with divine power. His actions contrast with the nine who don’t return, highlighting the significance of recognizing and responding to received grace.
Verse 17-19: Commendation and Salvation
Jesus’ rhetorical question accentuates the incongruity between the number healed and the number expressing gratitude. Notably, it is the Samaritan, a foreigner, who exemplifies proper response to divine grace, underscoring Luke’s recurring theme of the Gentiles’ inclusion in the salvation narrative.
Theological Implications
- Gratitude as Response to Grace: The Samaritan’s thankful return exemplifies an appropriate, transformative response to God’s mercy, inviting readers to cultivate gratitude.
- Faith and Healing: Healing is bestowed upon all ten lepers, regardless of their ethnic or religious identity, illuminating the universal accessibility and inclusivity of divine healing and grace.
- Marginality and Recognition: The acknowledgment of the Samaritan’s faith invites a reassessment of societal marginalization and exclusion, challenging readers to perceive the divine image within every individual.
Conclusion
Luke 17:11-19 offers a rich narrative illustrating the intersection of gratitude, faith, healing, and inclusivity. The passage invites readers to reflect upon their response to divine grace and to recognize the worth and dignity of marginalized individuals within the community of faith. The silent nine lepers perhaps mirror those who receive grace but lack awareness or acknowledgment, while the Samaritan’s exuberant gratitude provides a model for Christian discipleship and witness.
GPTs-and-Me 