The one who returned

Did you forget?

11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a] met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”-Luke17:11-19

In times of difficulty, we cry aloud to God. And because we need His mercy, all the more that we are sensitive to Him or His message. Sometimes we interpreted certain things as a message from Him. Example, if a person suffers in bankruptcy, and he sees a message that says, "God will give you your heart's deepest desire," most likely the man would assume that God just solved his bankruptcy. Yes, we are so attuned to God in times of difficulty.

But, when we are joyful, in abundance or God just granted our heart's desires, we forget Him. We are so drunk by joy and gladness that we forgot about Him. We thought of the happy days ahead, the reunion with family, the bonding with friends, the welcome of community and so many things, except a little "Thank You, Lord." This happens most of the time.

Once there was a soul who came to Heaven. In a certain chamber marked "Supplication," many throngs of angels are busy. So many angels and so busy. Moving on in another chamber, the soul saw one angel. The angel is bored, sleepy and nothing to work on. The soul asked, "What is your work?" The angel said, "I'm in charge of receiving the "Thank you" messages of the people to God. Sometimes the messages come. Sometimes there's none at all."

Supposing that the nine lepers were simply following Jesus' instruction of presenting themselves to the priests. Can we say that their action is indeed forgivable since they merely obeyed? For me, a simple "Thank You, Jesus" is not so much to ask. I believe Jesus wouldn't feel disobeyed if they returned to thank Him because gratitude is the language of love also. And love is God. Supposing that the nine lepers went to Jerusalem so that the lengthy ritual of purification could begin and end as soon as possible, and the Samaritan leper did not actually need this purification ritual - being a foreigner - that's why he had the time to go back to Jesus to thank Him. Can we say that the nine lepers' actions, as well as the lone Samaritan leper's actions, explain it all? No. Being a Samaritan with no business with Jews, he can actually just go home, forget the purification and Jesus. But, he thanked Jesus. Jews are more expected to be grateful since another Jew healed them. But, they didn't. Note the difference. The one with no business with Jews, thanked Jesus who is a Jew. The nine Jews, did not thank Jesus who is a Jew.

Jesus is inviting us all to speak, think and act the language of love. The language of love - which is God - also includes gratitude. Jesus does not demand much when we express our gratitude to Him. Sometimes, all that He ask is a simple "Thank You, Lord."

Image courtesy: J. Steel (10 Lepers), various artists