At the beginning all ten were lepers, Later one became Samaritan

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 28th Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Lk 17:11-19*

*First Reading : 2 Kgs 5:14-17*

*SECOND READING - 2 Tm 2:8-13*

*At the beginning all ten were lepers, Later one became Samaritan*

*1) Ten Lepers*

The parable has been named after 10 lepers 

The parable simply says that there were 10 lepers 

The Gospel does not say whether they are Jews or Samaritans. The Gospel simply says that they were lepers 

*2) 10 lepers come to Jesus*

When they came to Jesus there was no difference between them 

All were lepers and all shared the same sickness

That's why they came together to Jesus asking for a healing from the sickness

Jesus gave them the treatment and as they were moving towards the destiny, they were cleansed and healed 

*3) After the healing division comes in*

Soon after the healing takes place, their identity changes 

The identity should have been from lepers to Human beings 

But the tragedy is that, their identity changed from lepers to Jews and Samaritans

So we see a clear cut division between 1 and 9 and 9 Vs 1

*4) Healing didn't make them better human beings*

During their sickness, all were in the same boat. They had similar identity 

This sickness would have made them to realise the equality between them 

But this sickness didn't make them better human beings but they became individuals of different groups

This is the tragedy of their life 

*5) Our Situation is not better than the lepers*

The same mentality of the lepers is reflected even in our life 

During floods and Covid 19, all became one. 

We had no issues about from where the food comes? what type of food we get? Where there will be place to stay, which hospital will get for treatment? Whether will get oxygen or not? 

But soon after these events when people realised that covid 19 no more a threat, they started to fight based on the food one eats, clothes one wears, house one stays, worship one does and the culture one follows 

All became problem and people got divided themselves into different groups and fought with each other

So this is the tragedy of human life. 

*6) Important messages*

Need to foster the spirit of community and oneness. No groupism should be promoted at any cost 

Need to me men of beatitude. Ingratitude is more dangerous than the leprosy

One should not wait for natural calamities to feel the oneness of human family 

Recognise the great things in life and be grateful God and one another 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*