Daily Gospel Digest - Luke 17:11-19

Wednesday, 13 November - 32nd week in Ordinary Time

From the Gospel according to Luke 17:11-19

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him. They stood some way off and called to him, ‘Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.’ When he saw them he said, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ Now as they were going away they were cleansed. Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. This made Jesus say, ‘Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’ And he said to the man, ‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.’

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gospel passage, Luke 17:11-19, is a unique account not found in the other synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and John). It tells the story of Jesus healing ten lepers, a common theme throughout the Gospels, but offers a unique perspective on gratitude and faith.

The story occurs as Jesus travels along the border between Samaria and Galilee, suggesting a transition period in His ministry. The lepers, who are outcasts and considered unclean, come to Him pleading for mercy. Jesus told them to show themselves to the priests, a requirement of the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 14) for anyone healed of leprosy. All ten lepers are cleansed, but only one of them, a Samaritan, returns to thank Jesus.

Today’s Reflection: