One of the most difficult things for many to control is their mouths. They are quick to find fault, criticise, put down, even slander. Too juicy to resist and so much time and effort goes into gossiping! Selection of targets are wide and varied but often those in leadership, foreigners, aliens or simply anyone in the outer circle. Were their accusers ever blameless themselves? How does Jesus our Lord fit into their lives? How does the words that come out of our mouths give Him praise and glory? If our words kill the spirit of another, are we not murderers? Do we continue to say we have not broken our Lord’s commandment, “Thou shall not kill!”
Jesus came to save us all! Yes everyone of all nations, race and culture. Today’s Gospel is another example of this. All ten were cleansed but ironically only the foreigner from ‘far away’ was closest to the heart of God. For he got down to worship the Lord God and his heart cried out in thanksgiving and praise of Him. Through His faith in Jesus he was not only granted healing but eternal salvation.
Jesus my Lord, let the words that come out of my mouth words be Yours so that it may be life giving to all. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Now and forever. Amen
First reading
Titus 3:1-7
It was purely by his own compassion that God saved us
Remind your people that it is their duty to be obedient to the officials and representatives of the government; to be ready to do good at every opportunity; not to go slandering other people or picking quarrels, but to be courteous and always polite to all kinds of people. Remember, there was a time when we too were ignorant, disobedient and misled and enslaved by different passions and luxuries; we lived then in wickedness and ill-will, hating each other and hateful ourselves.
But when the kindness and love of God our saviour for mankind were revealed, it was not because he was concerned with any righteous actions we might have done ourselves; it was for no reason except his own compassion that he saved us, by means of the cleansing water of rebirth and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit which he has so generously poured over us through Jesus Christ our saviour. He did this so that we should be justified by his grace, to become heirs looking forward to inheriting eternal life.
Gospel
Luke 17:11-19
No-one has come back to praise God, only this foreigner
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.’
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