Lenten Readings

Sunday (3/15/2020) - Lord God, by your Word fill me with a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving
Luke 17:11–19 - As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”
 
We are one week closer to Holy Week and one week closer to Easter. Our focus in our reading this week is on showing gratitude and thanksgiving, both of which really should be part of our DNA as Christians. Even in our worst of situations, we have so much to be grateful for that we should constantly be giving thanks.
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In our text today we read about 10 men who were lepers. This medical condition impacted every aspect of their life – not only were the suffering physically because of this disease, they were suffering mentally and emotionally as well. They were outcasts, no longer welcome in their homes or community. But then Christ showed up. They recognized him immediately and called out for mercy and healing. Christ told them to go to the priests to be checked over – this would require some faith because when they left Jesus, they were still lepers. But on their way to the Priest they were healed. Nine of them continued on to the Priest to be cleared and to go back to their families and old life. But one turned around and returned to Jesus to express his gratitude.
 
One out of ten…only 10% showed gratitude. I am certain the other nine were very thankful but only one was willing to take the time to actually go back to the one who had healed him to say thank you. As you go through this week’s readings, start looking for ways that you can tangibly express your gratitude to God and to others. We have been incredibly blessed and we need to show it in everything we do.