THE OTHER NINE, WHERE ARE THEY?

PRAYER MOMENT 

Wednesday 12 November 2014

THE OTHER NINE, WHERE ARE THEY?

                     

Pause. Be still in God’s presence.

Reading: “Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they?” (Luke 17:11-19)

Reflection. The story of the ten people cured of leprosy is simple and clear. It is one of Jesus’ healing miracles but in the end that is not the point. It is about being grateful. Only one came back and thanked the Lord. Jesus makes a stir about it not because he personally wants to be thanked but because he wants people to see beyond the physical curing. For nine out of ten the healing is exciting news and it ends there. But the one who is grateful and shows it is acknowledging the action of God in the world. He recognises, somehow, that God has intervened and it dawns on him, somehow, that things will never be the same again. As Luther reminded the Church in the sixteenth century, gratitude opens the door to faith. When I say ‘thank you’ to you I acknowledge my relationship with you. We live for one another. The great Christian act of worship is a ‘Thank you’ (Eucharist). It is also the locus of our faith.

Prayer. Lord, open out hearts to recognise our relationship with one another and with you and help us to live joyfully in one great ‘thank you.’  Amen.  

David Harold-Barry SJ