On Gratitude

“Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?"    
                      Jesus to his traveling companions, Luke 17:19

Happy 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time!

What do we have going on here? Jesus is walking to Jerusalem through Samaria and Galilee. Now it sounds like he went through Samaria and then Galilee but he had to start in Galilee, then go through Samaria and then deep into Judea to Jerusalem.

But Luke’s so-called “travel narrative” is really a collection of parables that is only a travel narrative in that a couple of times there’s a phrase like this week’s “As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem . . .”  It is never clear when he is in Galilee and when in Samaria and when in Judea.

Nonetheless, he seems to be in a Jewish area for there are ten lepers who approach him, and Jesus, apparently from a distance, sends them to the priests, as a devout Jewish rabbi would do after a healing. One of them, however, is a Samaritan. He is apparently in Jewish territory, so he is an outcast among outcasts. He can’t go see a Jewish priest.  But when he realizes he has been healed, he is overcome with gratitude and returns to Jesus.

I know some of our parishioners have been healed of their spiritual and emotional wounds in this parish. Some of us undoubtedly have felt like Samaritans in Judea and have met Jesus here in some way. We all feel at home here. Numerous witnesses have talked about trying other parishes and nowhere felt like home but here. All of us feel Christ’s presence here.

Stewardship is an expression of gratitude, whether in signing up for one of the ministries on pages 4 and 5 or sharing our financial blessings. Take some quiet time this month to open your heart to God and reflect on your gratitude.