Luke 17: 11-19
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean.
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Welcoming the Outsider
There are few groups of human beings more consistently on my mind these days than migrants in the United States. Our sisters and brothers have risked their lives, fleeing violence, poverty, and oppression, in hopes of seeking safety, stability, and freedom, only to be met with more dehumanization. So many of these parents, children, siblings, friends--these beloveds of God--have been unjustly demonized, and terrorized into hiding, despite the countless gifts they have brought to America.
Today's Gospel reminds us of God's particular love for "the foreigner." It's one of the many moments throughout the Old and New Testaments within which such an outsider is uplifted as a model of faith, despite being hated. A Samaritan, looked down upon both racially and religiously by other "real" Jews, demonstrates gratitude and humility before Jesus, though Jesus had healed nine others alongside him. The Samaritan was the only one who "got it."
—Katie Davis-Crowder is an Ignatian spiritual director and high school theology teacher. A proud former Jesuit Volunteer, she holds a Master of Divinity from Loyola University Chicago and serves on the board of directors at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Illinois.
Prayer
Blessed are You, Lord Jesus Christ.
You crossed every border
between Divinity and humanity
to make your home with us.
Help us to welcome you in newcomers,
migrants and refugees.
Blessed are You, God of all nations.
You bless our land richly
with goods of creation
and with people made in your image.
Help us to be good stewards and peacemakers,
who live as your children.
Blessed are You, Holy Spirit.
You work in the hearts of all
to bring about harmony and goodwill.
Strengthen us to welcome those
from other lands, cultures, religions,
that we may live in human solidarity
and in hope.
God of all people, grant us vision
to see your presence in our midst,
especially in our immigrant sisters and brothers.
Give us courage to open the door to our neighbors
and grace to build a society of justice.
—Pax Christi
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