The Healing of Ten Lepers
At the entrance of one village, Jesus Christ met ten lepers. Nine of them were Jews and one a Samaritan. Their common grief united them. The lepers were forbidden to come close to people because their disease was infectious. Therefore, they stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
Jesus Christ said, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”
The priests were to inspect those who recovered from leprosy and testified to their right to live in cities and towns. The lepers went to the priests; and as they walked on the road, they were cleansed of the leprosy, that is, they were restored to health. One of them seeing that he was healed returned to Jesus Christ, glorified God with a loud voice, and fell at the feet of Christ thanking Him. It was the Samaritan. The Jews had left without giving thanks.
Then, Jesus Christ said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God, except this foreigner?”
Then, turning to the thankful Samaritan, he said, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” From this, it is clear that we must always be thankful to God for His mercy which He extends to us.
Note: See the Gospel of Luke 7:11-19.
by Fr. Seraphim Slobodskoy)