Where Are the Nine?
“Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?’”
Photo by Warren Wong on Unsplash
At a church gathering of twenty young people, refreshments were served. One or two of the group said ‘thank you.’ The rest went away, apparently taking for granted the gift that was given them. The host couple was disappointed.
God, too, must be frequently disappointed in our lack of response to what has been given us. Everything we have is a gift. How often do we thank the giver?
Jesus met a group of ten lepers. Their disease made them social outcasts. They were not permitted to remain with their families, living instead on the outskirts of town, begging for food. The requirement to call out a warning of their approach was a constant reminder of their misery and loss.
From this situation, these ten lepers were released by Jesus’ compassion and power. He simply sent them to the authorities to have their healing validated. Suddenly everything they had lost was restored. One would expect thanksgiving and praise!
Yet the only one who came back to say ‘thank you’ was a Samaritan. Perhaps the nine Jewish lepers felt they had received only what was their due as believers in God.
For Reflection: What is my excuse for ingratitude?
A Prayer Seed:
Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done, In whom this world rejoices;
Who, from our mothers’ arms, Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.
Martin Rinkart, 1636
