Wednesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
“Set your desire on my words.” Long for them, and you will be instructed. They will be made holy who observe holy things in holiness. Your faith has made you well. Three simple thoughts with powerful consequences.
We are instructed to long for the words of the Lord, to ponder the Word of God, to let it become part of us – let God guide us and transform us.
This inevitably leads us to do good and disposes us to the holy. Thus, we grow in the ways of the Lord; we grow in holiness.
Jesus cures ten lepers and one returns to thank him. To him, Jesus says: “Stand up and go on your way – your faith has made you well.” Ten lepers approached Jesus, and all of them had a level of faith which led them to turn to Jesus for healing.
One, a Samaritan, even returned to thank him. Yes. All were healed, one was grateful for that tremendous gift. To be healed of leprosy was much more than physical healing. It meant an end to being set apart, as they would no longer be ostracized, they could get close to people again in a normal way. It was a tremendous gift the Lord gave them. The natural response to that gift is great gratitude. It seems that the one (the Samaritan) understood full well what had happened and praised God for it.
We’ve received many gifts from the Lord – many in response to our asking, many more even without asking. Healing in different forms. Gifts to serve others. Even the desire to grow in holiness and walk the path of the Lord. Let us be attentive, recall the many ways the Lord has blessed us, and lift grateful hearts to our loving God.
Reflection by Fr. Peter Ullrich, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections