First Reading: Titus 3:1-7
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, not to be quarrelsome but gentle, showing all mildness toward all people.
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we may be heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 23:1b-3a, 3bc-4, 5, 6
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Alleluia: First Thessalonians 5:18
Gospel: Luke 17:11-19
And it happened as He was going to Jerusalem, He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a certain town, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood far off, and lifted up their voice saying: Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
When He saw them, He said: Go, show yourselves to the priests. And it happened as they went, they were made clean.
And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back with a loud voice glorifying God, and he fell on his face before His feet giving thanks, and this was a Samaritan.
And Jesus answering said: Were not ten made clean? And where are the nine? Is no one found to return and give glory to God but this stranger? And He said to him: Arise, go your way, for your faith has made you whole.
Reflection
Ten lepers stood far away and cried: Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. All ten were healed as they went to the priests. But only one came back.
That one saw he was clean, turned back with a loud voice glorifying God, fell at Jesus' feet and gave thanks. And he was a Samaritan - a stranger.
Jesus asks: Were not ten made clean? Where are the nine? It is easy to receive God's gifts and forget the Giver. We were once foolish, slaves to desires, living in malice and envy, but God in His kindness saved us, not because of our good works but by mercy, washing us new by the Holy Spirit.
The Shepherd is with us even in the valley of death. Today let gratitude be more than words. Return to Jesus, fall at His feet, give thanks in all circumstances. That faith will make you whole.
Prayer
Merciful Jesus, you cleanse and renew me. Keep me from taking your gifts for granted. Teach me to come back to you with a loud voice glorifying God, to give thanks in all circumstances. Make me gentle, not quarrelsome, showing kindness to all, remembering that your mercy saved me. Let your rod and staff comfort me as I follow you. Amen.
Readings are taken from the Douay-Rheims Bible, rendered in modern English for easy reading.
