Date: 21 Oct 2002
Time: 05:53:46
These scriptures mirror the level of our thankfulness. The nine lepers seem to fit the depth of thankfulness with which we often respond to the Lord, "surface". We come to our God with soul wrenching requests. In His ove, goodness and mercy He answers our requests. Often our response, if any, is a flipped "Thank You Lord!" and we are on our way. This was the surface level of thankgiving given by the nine lepers. However, this was not true of the tenth leper. He had an encounter with the living God. In that moment of time the tenth leper did three things. (1) Being a Samaritan, despised by the Jews, he realized the scope of his request, however the depth of his need over came his fear and faith sprung up. In approaching Jesus he understood and received the compassionate unconditional love of our mercyful God. He recoginzed Jesus as the Holy, almighty God that had intervened on his behalf. (2) This recognition uncapped a depth of thankful greatfulness in him a at level that touched his very soul. (3) It was the truth of this encounter with Jesus that caused him to praise in spirit and truth the King of Glory. Jesus question "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the nine?" Is a question for all of us to consider.
Date: 7/5/2003
Time: 12:30:52 PM
I think that a lot of people feel they are lepers in this day and time, they just don't have the outer scars that the disease carries with it. I work in a health clinic in which all kinds of folks come to be healed, most I find just need someone to talk to and to understand how hard it is to just live in the world the way it is today. I myself seem to live in a house devided, my husband and non-beliver in christ, I myself belive with all my heart that God saved me. I try my best to help folks to see that Gods love is real, and that no matter what disease you have, or whether your scars are inside to out his love is real. He healed lepers why not you. Thank you, Susan
Date: 05 Oct 2001
Time: 07:20:17
Early thought.
I've read this passage 50 times or more. My insight this time is 9 go to the temple to ritual worship. One comes to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and returns to true worship! I am so grateful for the cross of Jesus that with thanksgiving I celebrate new life in Christ.
Jonesey in WI
Date: 07 Oct 2001
Time: 01:29:00
This passage raises numerous questions for me about the nature of faith. The first, is that we never get a chronology in the gospels. We have no indication of how long the journey was to the priests. Was this a matter of minutes, hours or days?
The turning back of the Samaritan was an intentional decision and this says a great deal about the matter of choice in the issue of faith.
And finally I seriously ask, What made the others well?
If as many Christians like to espouse, you require faith for healing, then why did the other nine receive healing at all. I am more inclined to believe that our physical healing is a natural grace of God granted out of his mercy. It has very little to do with faith. Having said that, I think this passage has more to say about faith. I don't believe that many in the Christian church have fully explored what this word "faith" actually entails.
Didn't the other 9 have faith? Yet all were healed!
But our relationship with God is always a matter of faith. Faith is essentially about the present and the future, not the past. The single difference between the Samaritan and the others, is that he was conscious of the future. That future was now different than ever before.
So the single difference is that this one leper recognised God's hand in his salvation. Faith is essentially about accepting that God is in all of life.
We need to be very careful how we handle this concept of faith. I believe it to be crucial for allowing people to make a considered decision in the Christian way.
Let us not make faith, to be some emotional concept related to our perception of the past, but a clear recognition of our glorious future.
Thank-you as always for the opportunity to contribute to the stimulating conversations.
Regards to all for a challenging week,
KGB in Aussie.
Date: 07 Oct 2001
Time: 10:42:42
Let us also remember that Jesus was working with his gifts and also trying not to disrupt the way things were "expected to be done. Levitical (is that a word?) says that there are certain procedures to be followed to be healed or when healed. Jesus encouraged these lepers to go to the priests for the ritualistic cleaning. I think they did this and for nine, that was enough. The tenth leper obviously received more than a healing, he received Jesus the Christ! That is why he came back.
How often do we receive from Jesus and not "go back" and thank him? Jesus is the Master Physician and we all need to praise him!! Toni
Date: 07 Oct 2001
Time: 10:44:50
Sorry, there should have been end quotes there and I meant to say Levitcal Law. Oops! Toni :-)
Date: 07 Oct 2001
Time: 13:43:17
Some early thoughts on this passage.
Ten lepers were healed.
Nine simply were obedient to the word and went to the priest who pronounced them clean.
Only one, a Samaritan, returned to give thanks.
He did something that was not commanded, a free response to his/her renewed life.
I think that there is something about Sabbath in this return, something about the healing of creation, the space that gives one the freedom to be. And God said, it is good, it is very good.
tom in ga
Date: 07 Oct 2001
Time: 17:56:28
"And as they went, they were made clean." This is the statement in this story that always grabs my attention and my thought. It isn't in showing themselves to the priests; it isn't in anything they do or don't do, say or don't say; it is in being on the journey that they are healed. Is this not the way it is with all of us? So long as we are on the way, we receive the Spirit of the one we follow. When we stop.... well.... Blessings, Eric in KS
Date: 08 Oct 2001
Time: 07:08:13
When we are grateful for what we have, for what God is already doing, then we find ourselves in the saving presence of the Lord. Gratefulness requires that we recognize the gift AND the giver. It is not about what is happening (healing), but who causes it to happen. Keep your eyes on Jesus and be made well!! Prophet in PA
Date: 08 Oct 2001
Time: 07:44:13
There is an interesting relationship between this healing and the previous parable. If Jesus is just dong his thing (healing)then why return and thank him? He only did what he ought to have done. The other nine do what they are supposed to do ( go to the priests). What is Luke trying to tell us by juxtaposing this material? cwe in IL
Date: 08 Oct 2001
Time: 08:39:14
Since this text follows right after the passage about "increase our faith" and faith like a grain of mustard seed" I think the emphasis has to be on faith, rather than on the healing itself. Faith leads us to do what we ought always to do, turn to Jesus, and see Jesus as the source of all that we have. JRW in OH
Date: 08 Oct 2001
Time: 10:04:08
rather frequent reader, first time poster-
in reading this passage, it would seem easy to discount the faith of the non-returners. however, could this passage be a glimpse of jesus as the christ and his relationship with judaism? the other nine are healed as well (wonderful point earlier about receiving healing while on the journey btw). they find their salvation in the levitical law, doing what was prescribed by their religious tenents.
the one, however, recognizes the change in relationship to god that is offered through jesus, who at that moment for our returning one, becomes the christ. the nature of our relationship is changed - just like what jesus is trying to communicate in the mustard seed statements prior to this passage. now, through jesus, we have direct access to god, that seems to me be the point of this story's inclusion in luke.
bt in md
Date: 08 Oct 2001
Time: 12:45:58
We obviously have at least two intended lessons... the primary one being the importance of giving thanks, the secondary one being that we often find God honored among those we would otherwise dismiss (the Samaritans). The already pointed out message of obedience also seems relevant.
I'm going to call my sermon "The OTHER Good Samaritan", and use it as an opportunity to refer to how God wants us to relate to him. Obedience is indeed important... and it gains us one aspect of God's favor. But there is a whole other aspect of our relationship to God which goes beyond obedience. It begins with obedience, but continues on with gratitude. Most of all, it continues with an ongoing, rather than once-and-done relationship.
Date: 08 Oct 2001
Time: 12:53:28
An early thought. Jesus tells the 10 to go and show themselves to the priests. The 9 (presumably Jewish lepers head to Jerusalem. The 10th, a Samaritan, would not have been welcome at the Jewish Temple. This leper turns back to Jesus and recognizes in him the one with the authority to make him clean -- Jesus, the High Priest! OLAS
Date: 08 Oct 2001
Time: 14:05:58
Here are a few points to factor into the exegetical equation for this passage, any of which, I hope, present possible preaching scenarios:
(1) At this point in Luke's story, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem to meet his destiny. How does this story relate to that journey?
(2) The experience of a scary illness (leprosy being a general term referring to a number of maladies) and of enforced exile from the larger society has created a community-of-sufferers. People who would not ordinarily be together find common ground as the marginalized. Isn't that the way things often work in our world? For example, families of victims of recent tragedies--or refugees from missiles in war-torn countries.
(3) I also thought about titling a sermon on this passage "The OTHER Good Samaritan" as someone else suggested. Think about it: the one least likely to "get it" in relation to Jesus as Lord and Savior, does get it (seen in his posture of worship). Who are the "unlikley grateful" in our world?
(4) And the Samaritan has been twice-rejected: once for his ethnicity and then for his disease. So he has great reason to be doubly-thankful: he has been reached and cleansed by Jesus. Someone notices his plight and someone acts to change his condition. That points the way for our own avenues of meaningful ministry in the day-to-day world.
(5) All that being said, I do not think there is great evidence that this story is merely about "to be thankful" or "not to be thankful." Indeed, we can well imagine that all ten are filled with gratitude. Rather, as someone has already pointed out, it is primarily a story about faith; more specifically, it is about the EFFECTS of faith--which links it to Jesus' parable in the preceding verses. This encounter in the borderlands proves the point Jesus has just made in his parable. Are there other stories that bear out the truth of Jesus' words?
(6) Finally (and this is where I think I am being drawn to focus in), all the lepers are "healed" but only the last one is said to be "made whole." There is a fullness to his experience that the others have not shared. And here is an invitation to reflect on the connections with and differences between HEALING and WHOLENESS. Some directions to go would be: sometimes H is not given, but W is always a possibility; H is about what goes on OUTSIDE, but W is about what happens INSIDE. This is an especially rich territory because we live in a world of medical marvels where we are constantly focused on physical health but ther is more at staken in our well-being than that.
Blessings, TK in OK
Date: 08 Oct 2001
Time: 17:15:50
In the Revised Common Lectionary we don't have the Jeremiah text for the OT reading, but the healing of Naaman the leper, from 2 Kings. Combined with the healing of the Samaritan leper, these two lessons say some interesting things. First, God's concern for healing and wholeness. Second, God's universal concern for all people--including the foreigner. I don't know how I am going to put this all together yet, but it seems like a good reminder as we have begun bombing this week, to remember God's concern for everyone. God Bless America and God Bless the World. God doesn't take sides with any political nation, but God is on the side of justice, healing, reconciliation. These are challenging texts for a challenging time. GB in MI
Date: 08 Oct 2001
Time: 18:01:11
They all had faith. When Jesus told them to go to the priest they hadn't yet been cleansed, but they went anyway. As they went, they were cleansed. They were going on faith.
When they were lepers, they were 10 lepers. When they were cleansed, they were 9 Jews and a Samaritan. Some guys never catch a break.
The priest didn't clean anybody, only pronounced them clean, so they could return to society. That was enough for the 9. They looked forward to getting back the life thet had previously. The Samaritan was looked down on before. What would he get back besides 2nd class citizenship? Still, this Jesus had made him clean. If he had nothing else, he had that, so he was thankful for mercy alone, not all the rights and trappings of polite society. "Praise God", he said, and "Thank you, Jesus." Jesus replied,"Now you are a whole person. Get on with your life." I like to think he went out to do great works of grace, while the 9 just went back to their old jobs.
When you realize that Christ has made you whole, is the status quo good enough? Isn't it about NEW life? tom in TN(USA)
Date: 08 Oct 2001
Time: 19:34:39
At a workshop we were asked to come up with some excuses that the nine might have offered. The winning excuse was:
"Well I was on my way back from seeing the priest and was looking for Jesus to thank Him. I saw this man warming his hands over a fire, so I asked him where I could find Jesus. He said 'I do not know a man named Jesus.'"
A W-G rocky coast Me.
Date: 08 Oct 2001
Time: 19:58:31
Bits and pieces...
"Get up & go..." Jesus says. A reminder that we can't stay on the mountaintop, or "rest easy," but the Christian journey is ongoing.
We could talk about leprosy... a terrible disease that eats away at fingers, toes, facial features, etc. because people get hurt & feel no pain... Though feeling no pain sounds like a good thing, the effects are devastating. Wounds are not felt or treated, until whole fingers, etc. disappear. Even today, many are afraid to go near lepers, especially to touch them, though doctors do not think leprosy is spread that way... There is a book about a man who lived & worked among lepers; I'll research the title...
But how to put it all together? Should be interesting...
Deb, Pittsburgh
Date: 08 Oct 2001
Time: 20:08:56
Thanks for some really good ideas. I pray the un-named contributor will not mind my "borrowing" his/her title, "the OTHER good Samaritan". That, and TK's ideas about God's grace being for all the world really resonate with me. Rich in Bama
Date: 09 Oct 2001
Time: 02:59:46
The Greek experts could tell us whether the word used for "turning back" is metanoia--conversion?
Alex in Bristol, UK
Date: 09 Oct 2001
Time: 07:02:27
Jesus responds and heals all ten lepers. It has nothing to do with possessing the "true" faith, but simply out of his compassion.
Now the Jews responded to Jesus' command with obedience. That was something the knew and understood. They, along with the Samaritan, went and showed themselves to the priests.
The Samaritan responded to his healing with gratitude, something not commanded, something extra, something that in itself is healing. Indeed, I am convenced that the soul is made whole in overflowing love and thanksgiving. It is this that Jesus sees and responds to ... Get up and go "your way"; your faith has made you well.
"Your Way" ... an interesting phrase. What does the Greek say? Indeed, the Samaritan's "way" was different, his obedience more full.
Could it be that for the Samaritan, lepersy was simply an outward sign of his uncleanliness among the people of Israel. Where for the Jews, their lepersy was simply a physical problem. So for the Samaritan, Jesus' healing was more complete, cleansing him both within and without and it was Jesus' recognition of him that drew him into a community of grace that restored him completely.
My I recognize my own need for healing, and my I rejoice in the community of grace which surrounds me.
tom in ga
Date: 09 Oct 2001
Time: 07:05:35
To Alex in Bristol -- sorry, the Greek word isn't metanoia. It's hupestrepsen, which is the prosaic word for turning around, making a U-turn. -- Mike in Maryland
Date: 09 Oct 2001
Time: 08:13:38
I'm lucky this week. We have homecoming and someone else is preaching. Think on this though. The Samaritan would have not been welcome in the temple nor by the priest. The other nine did what was required by the law. While the 9 made sacrafices in the temple the Samaritan returned to the source of his healing to give praise. God love all of you and happy Thanksgiving to all you Canadians out there. Harold in Alabama
Date: 09 Oct 2001
Time: 12:54:08
Having spent a whole semester with this passage (and the other Samaritan passages from Luke/Acts)just a couple of years ago, I am struck by the fact that all of Lukes Samaritan passages have a journey as part of the theme. Jesus and the disciples are passing by Samaritan villages, The Good Samaritan is traveling on the Jerico road, The leper travels back to Jesus, and Philip, Peter, and John travel to the new Christians in Samaria.
Is this a progressive journey of faith? Is Luke showing a refusal of Jesus that moves to an understaning the spirit of the law, to a recognition of Jesus as the author of faith and wholeness, to a final receiving of the Holy Spirit and power?
Are we just dealing with an individual response to Jesus or does the Samaritan become representative of his whole community?
Just some questions on a Tuesday afternoon. Pax Christi Tim in MI
Date: 09 Oct 2001
Time: 16:05:23
I'm remembering a thought-provoking sermon/story by Martin Bell in WAY OF THE WOLF entitled: "Where are the nine?" He looks at the possible reasons for their absence. Putting it together with the Psalm, fully descriptive of God's activity, where is thanks in me? Why don't I go around each day with a heart full of praise? WE're all hugging our kids more after Setp. 11th -- I wonder when that will fall back to what it was BS (before Sept.)? Thanks for the insights. Chpln in PA
Date: 09 Oct 2001
Time: 23:39:03
The point of the text is not to admonish and exhort the nine to return, as is so often the hermeneutical move made here. The miracle of the text, it seems to me, is that "One Came Back" at all--and this one was the least expected. He had a sensitivity and awareness that far surpassed the rest. (We do not know that the other nine were all Jews, do we?) But this one we know. He of all persons--a foreigner--(today an Afghan-?) comes back praising God and giving thanks to Jesus.
The miracle is that anyone comes back to Jesus at all. We can spend many a sermon preaching at the holes in our pews, lambasting those who are absent--no matter what their excuse. Or we can celebrate that "one came back." I think this is what Jesus does. He accepts the one who has come with a thankful, rejoicing heart.
V. 19 begins with Jesus' command for this one to rise (anastas). That is a "resurrection word." He is raised to a new life of wholeness, wellness, salvation (sesoken). Yes, it is more than being cleansed and cured of the leprosy. It is shalom. The kingdom has come.
Finally, we must work to include this one who came back. He is no longer a leper. He is more than a Samaritan. Sometimes we use old labels to trap people in old stereotypes and relationships. (Gal. 3:27-28).
GMS in MO
Date: 10 Oct 2001
Time: 06:19:36
I have been struggling with my conregation over these past few weeks with what I feel to be an overabundance of patriotism. It never ceases to amaze me how our lectionary texts lend to pertinant sermon material for the time. This text does so beautifully in that all were blessed with healing. But it was the one of foreign birth who actually recognized that blessing as coming from God and gave thanks. This is not a time in which we should become puffed with pride for being the favored nation, but one in which we look at all the blessings we have been given and give thanks to God for creation he gave us to care for and begin to talk of peace to bring about God's kingdom on earth. Is that not the journey that Christ was on that day - to bring about the kingdom here on earth. We must begin the healing process so that all can come to wholeness. PH in OH
Date: 10 Oct 2001
Time: 09:14:51
Thanks, TK in OK, GB in MI, and tom in TN, expecially! Good thoughts. I also appreciate "no longer a leper, and more than a Samaritan." Praise and thanksgiving as the next move beyond faithful obedience is essential to joy-filled ministry (i.e., ministry that truly ministers). My sermon title is "Outsider Faith" -- and I may amend it with :The Other Good Samaritan. Thanks for those, too. CE in CO
Date: 10 Oct 2001
Time: 12:31:36
My sermon title, chosen days afer Sept. 11 for newsletter deadline reasons, is "Insiders and Outsiders." My main thrust grows out of the numerous references to Samaritans throughout Luke. Samaritans were not outside the pale of Jesus' love and ministry, and no one today is outside the pale of Christ's love for each and every person on the face of the earth. Not even Osama bin Laden. Challenging texts indeed! (re:GB in MI) RGB in OH
Date: 10 Oct 2001
Time: 13:15:37
It strikes me that it is not at all clear that ANY of the lepers made it to see the priests. "AS THEY WENT, they were made clean..." This, after all, is what enables the Samaritan to return as a clean person (given that he'd have had no opportunity to see the priest at the temple). This would seem to suggest that Jesus was the only priest any of them needed to consult--for the healing had happened "as they went" to follow his bidding. It would also mean that the nine, if they did keep going to the temple after having been healed "as they went," had misunderstood to whom they ought to show themselves. This puts the 9 non-returners in the same boat as the disciples, whom Jesus told in the previous pericope: "IF you had faith the size of a mustard seed..." It also is consistent w/ the in-crowd just not getting it (i.e., the priest and levite in the story of the other good samaritan, the pharisee who had invited Jesus to dine w/ him only to be shown up by a woman of ill repute) Chris in SC
Date: 10 Oct 2001
Time: 13:19:31
This text is also used each T-day. What is this “region between Galilee and Samaria>” Is it a place where outcastes like lepers go—fall between the cracks, a never-never land of sorts? Luke likes outcastes and journeys. Both are in this story. 9 Jews / one Samaritan: does suffering wipe away distinctions in this select community? And did you read the Christian Century piece on this lection? Good stuff. Sharon in Bethlehem
Date: 10 Oct 2001
Time: 14:02:17
I have been comparing the three texts for this week...how Jeremiah tells the exiles to settle down in the land, how the lepers (also exiles) are healed, yet it is the one most in exile (the Samaritan) who returns to give thanks to God in Christ, and the 2nd Timothy passage about Paul in chains and in prison, certainly an exile by his condition....and I wonder....
Is something being said here about being "a stranger in a strange land?" About settling down for the long haul and mingling with "the enemy", not forgetting the Christ who calls us and heals us...and enduring great suffering for clinging to what is the truth of the gospel?
If there is a "track" here...that would make Christians like the lepers....yikes! Suffering....living out our "religious" lives...but only one in ten truly remembering for Whom we suffer.....
Jude in Wash
Date: 10 Oct 2001
Time: 14:27:56
For thise who are using the Episcopal Lections the Old Testament Reading comes from Ruth some how I seem to think the Lections are crying out for us to uphold to our congregations that Jesus never forgot his past. His heritage was rooted in outside Judiasm as well Ruth ;the foreigner being David's greatgrand mother.ST Paul's confession of faith highlights Jesus was of David's line and in the Gospel the healing of the foreigner sorry 'the samaritan'. Because he was a samaritan really had no one to present himself to but Jesus.The queustion this week can 'foreigners' who have no one to turn to for ministry can they turn to the Church of Jesus? Or would we be so busy focussing on church issues that we miss the compassion of Jesus for those who do not belong? Consider the families of the undocumented victims of the W.T.C disaster to whom can they turn? Rev Andy of T&T
Date: 10 Oct 2001
Time: 15:34:08
Does the one ever make it to the priest? The verse says that once he saw that he was healed he returned to Jesus. Adds to the fact that it wasn't the fact that priest says he was well, but that it was his faith that made hime well. Likewise I think how often we look towards outer sources to confirm our "wellness" our "wholeness", when Jesus invites us to see that our wellness and wholeness comes from something that has been kindled in our heart.
Perry in MN
Date: 10 Oct 2001
Time: 17:54:11
I like to see this as a "Strategy for those in Babylon"... buy land, be fruitful, get married be fruitful. This to people grieving their loss (WTC, Babylon, Leprosy, death). It is said that Exile is the brother to Death and Death's closest companion is grief. Those who have been exiled are banished, abandoned, excluded. The message in Jeremiah is "Get up and get on with it! That is how we deal with grief of all kinds.. Kubler- Ross helps us deal with loss with principals which also apply to Exiles. Move on in living life... honor the way it was, but don't dwell on the past, don't lie there.
I like the connection between Jeremiah and Luke... the Exiles being told what to do, the Lepers (assume 9 were Jews who could go to the Priest... and I understand it to mean that they were healed on the way and were very thankful. The Samaritan started out, but came back and his thanksgiving was very profound and personal. I don't see the need to judge or condemn the other 9... and i don't see Jesus doing that... he just makes the observation.
As far as resources.. I hope that most of you are aware of and can use that upbeat Reggae piece by Boney M.. Bob Marley(also others) big song in Jamaica "By the Rivers of Babylon" By thew rivers of Babylon There we sat down. Hey hey we wept when we remembered Zion. But the wicked carried us away, captivity. Requiring of us a song. Now how can we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?
The contrast of bitter message and sweet music is compelling. I hope my guess is wrong... that you might not know Bob Marley and his music.
thanks for the thoughts so far this week. Appreciate the positive discussion without troubled distractions.
don hoff, Elmira, NY
Date: 10 Oct 2001
Time: 19:39:26
Who says we don't know Bob Marley? Here's one minister who is a Bob Marley fan. Wasn't that text from last week?
DG in NYC
Date: 11 Oct 2001
Time: 10:38:13
To: KGB in Aussie
Good comments, got me thinking. My ICC commentary (which I love) says that all 10 had faith (their faith was shown by obedience to Christ's command to go show themselves to the priest). Jesus ends this passage by saying that "your faith has made you well". I am uncomfortable with this but it is a new testament theme that faith is (normally) a pre-requisite of healing. Indeed in Jesus home town, few miracles were possible because of their unbelief.
So where do we go from here? I too would tend to say that God's healing comes from God's mercy, and is not contingent on our faith. But is this true? Aren't healing/miracle events in the New Testament a form of proclaiming the inbreaking of God's kingdom? In other words, they are not just random acts of kindness, but intentional acts of communication.
And faith is inheirently build upon the past, even if it is forward looking. Faith is built upon the story passed along to us by the saints who have gone before, and it looks to the future, and is expressed in the now.
Anway, just theological musing.
BS in NM
Date: 11 Oct 2001
Time: 13:07:41
I thought that I read somewhere once something that was written by someone who had listed propositions of what had happened to the other nine that they forgot to come back and give thanks or were not able to do so. Has anyone else read anything like this? If so, could you please post the source. I'm searching my files and can't seem to find it.
up pastor
Date: 11 Oct 2001
Time: 16:49:48
For up pastor -- Martin Bell WHERE ARE THE NINE? I think this is the source you're looking for. If not and there is another one, post it; I'd like to see it. Chpl in PA
Date: 11 Oct 2001
Time: 20:11:07
This Lucan reading sure sounds to me like a look-see into God's version of foreign policy. The whole idea of "Samaritan...this foreigner" underscores the fact that God has got a different take on who's in the club and who isn't. During this terribly critical time in our nation's history, when "foreign elements" are being scrutinized on all levels, the church is being called all the more to model an inclusivity that is compelled by grace. If Jesus was willing to touch the untouchable, we, then, are likewise empowered to do the same. Perhaps we should take up the President's challenge to ask our kids to help feed Afgani children, and so remove their leprosy. And lo and behold, as we go that way, we'll discover that we are healed and made well. Revwkr, Ohio
Date: 12 Oct 2001
Time: 01:44:49
Thank-you to all for some insightful stuff this week.
Thank-you to BS in NM for the encouragement. I am a simple soul struggling to make sense of mysteries often beyond my comprehension. I appreciate that you appreciate my efforts.
I think however, that it is Perry in MN who has struck a cord with me. This matter of faith is personal discovery of the source of change in our lives. It is an internal recognition which brings wellness and wholeness as we journey. We assume the other nine lepers were Jewish because they were directed toward the temple, however that is never fully disclosed. In my mind whether Jew or Gentile, the other nine set off for a promise so often promoted by organised religion. Wellness is derived from ritual and formula.
They were all made well on the way, but only the Samaritan recognised Jesus's true impact upon him. That it was by Jesus's instructions (simple words of encouragment) and positive imposition that he was able to access his own (God provided/created) strength. The other nine had no such revelation. I wonder what they believed had happened to themselves? From now on the Samaritan, could never be the same again. "Returning to give thanks", does not always necessarily mean returning to the physical place or person who set us on the path to recovery and ultimately - salvation.
Christians today have that same power. It is the power to see possibilities and opportunities in situations, which set people on a journey of healing.
Thanks be to God for the privilege.
Thanks to all of you for stimulating my thoughts.
Regards,
KGB in Aussie.
Date: 12 Oct 2001
Time: 07:16:35
The nine received physical healing while the Samaritan received spiritual wholeness.
9 saw Jesus from a distance 1 saw Jesus face to face
Jonesey in WI
Date: 12 Oct 2001
Time: 07:45:24
I think I have it! My sermon title is "The Leper of God" and these are the points I intend to raise....
We all think we understand what this parable is about...right? That when God blesses us, we need to remember to give Him thanks...right?
Wrong! I think this parable teaches us four things: (l) We are the lepers is that a) we are sinful, b) we are part of the 'religious community' as were the nine, and c) we might 'recognize the Master' but only for and when He does something for us.
(2) All we have is a gift from God, (3)We, like the nine, 'forget' from Whom our blessings flow (part of our dis-ease), and (4) Only 1 in ten has a grasp on Who Jesus is (God) and Who He is in relation to our own particular world views (the Center, rather than the periphery)
Nine lepers of 'Religion' who were all healed, but only one leper of God, who not only was healed, but was made whole.
Works for me!
Jude in Wash
Date: 12 Oct 2001
Time: 08:19:27
I believe that part of the point of this passage IS that thanksgiving is intimately related to both faith and healing. It is a wonderfulpassage, full of caveats:
The Samaritan is an outsider, both because of his disease and because of his ethnicity. His leprosy, like that of the others, separates him from society, his family, etc. I wonder what his family does, with their bread-winner gone - are they also reduced to begging? Being a leper not only had effects physically and socially, but also could put the whole family in desperate circumstances. It also meant that they could not worship, not offer sacrifices - they were seen as cursed. In some ways, the Samaritan already belonged to the crowd of the "unclean" as an outsider. The suprise is that a Jewish rabbi would be interested in healing him.
I imagine him on the fringe of even the "leper" crowd. When Jesus tells them to go do as the law requires, to see the priest, he wonders if he is excluded - after all, he cannot go see the priests. But as he goes, he suddenly finds himself included -he is also healed.
The next step is the going back - what will happen? He will be revealed, certainly, as a Samaritan - not a Jew. He has not obeyed Jesus - will the healing be revoked? Yet still he goes back. Why? Because the giver of the gift is always greater than the gift itself. Others will receive clear skin, but eventually they, like all of us, will die. But in going back, he receives not only the gift, but the giver of the gift. The giver becomes more important than the gift. He was the outsider, in every aspect. Now he finds himself welcomed. He was despised; now he finds himself chosen.
For us, this is a Sunday when we normally talk about stewardship. What a wonderful place to begin. We are using the ELCA theme of "Dessert First." What a wonderful text to proclaim that theme - God gives us his best first. When we respond in thanksgiving, it changes the entire of our relationship with him from one of law (obedience - doing only what is required of us) to one of grace (love freely given - returning to give thanks). That is what happened to the Samaritan.
Just a few thoughts on a Friday morning in beautiful Eastern Carolina!
Gary in New Bern http://www.standy.org
Date: 12 Oct 2001
Time: 09:35:25
Our nation has been joined together in our tragedy. What if the samaritan came back because he didn't have anywhere else to go. He didn't have anything in common with his friends anymore now that they all were healed. He became a despised samaritan again? Since the terrorist attacks we have been joined together stronger than ever. After this war is over will we return to our old self-centeredness and yell at each other in traffic, be rude to our fellow man and take God out of our newspapers and tv? HB in TX
Date: 12 Oct 2001
Time: 11:34:15
I have a couple of things to add to the discussion: 1) Jesus tells the lepers to go to the priest to be offically deemed healed so they could be accepted back in society. But the Samaritan would never have been accepted by the priest because he was a Samaritan--an outsider and an enemy of the people. (There's some good historical evidence about the relationship between Jews and Samaritans at the time.) The Samaritan would never have been deemed "clean". Jesus heals (the Gk is "saves" the outsider, the enemy). I was a visitor at a church the Sunday after Sept. 11th and the preacher challenged us--"who prayed this week for the enemy?" I just about fell out of the pew! I was confronted with my anger and hatred. Clearly, I was not ready to move on. But, as a minister-friend in NYC preached in her sermon that Sunday--beware what happens when anger and fear turn to hatred! 2) Jesus demands that we participate in our healing. (In the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 he tells the disciples to collect the food from the crowd) How do we bring God into our daily lives--I have just spend two weekends with large church groups on retreat in the country teaching them how to engage in theological reflection in our everyday lives. We must learn to flex our spiritual muscles in our daily lives by asking such questions as, "Where do I\we experience God?" "Who is God for the other person?" Someone made a very good pt. when he or she stated that we take physical healing as a normal part of life. Can we learn to recognize God in the ordinary, the mundane, the common? The Samaritan is "saved" because he establishes a relationsip with Christ, participates in his healing by turning back, and makes a faith response. I thought I would title my sermon--"And one turned back." RC in Quebec
Date: 12 Oct 2001
Time: 15:31:47
This passage reflects the goodness of God's grace, and the difference in how it affects those who receive it. The passage focuses upon two types of recipients.
First, there are those (represented by the nine)who are simply interested in receiving the benefits (physical healing in this case)of grace. The Giver of grace becomes no more than an obscure goose that lays golden eggs. This group represents those that will eat indiscriminantly from the hands of anyone who offers satisfation for selfish desires (Jesus, the priest, God, or whomever). The provider of grace matters very little to this group, their primary concern centers around the gift of self-fulfillment.
Then there is a second category of those who are recipients of grace (represented by the Samaritan). This group internalizes the spiritual significance of grace and realizes that the fullness of grace can only be received when we respond with gratitude to the one from whom grace is given.
Date: 12 Oct 2001
Time: 16:04:26
To up pastor and Chpl in PA,
I was scanning through the previous discussion pages and I found the following posted by HW in HI on 08 Oct 1998. I hope it helps and thanks to HW for posting in the first place.
"On a lighter note, I found (Charles L. Brown, Content the Newsletter Newsletter, June 1990, Page 3)this description of what happened to the other 9:
One waited to see if the cure was real. One waited to see if it would last. One said he would see Jesus later. One decided that he had never had leprosy. One said he would have gotten well anyway. One gave the glory to the priests. One said, "Oh, well, Jesus didn't really do anything." One said, "Any rabbi could have done it." One said, "I was already much improved."
Thanks to all and God Bless.
Ken in UK
Date: 13 Oct 2001
Time: 03:56:05
What I personally find striking here is the fact that the Samaritan found healing not just by experiencing CURE but also CONVERSION. This is what really healing must bring about! An experience of wholeness -- physically, but also spiritually.
Date: 13 Oct 2001
Time: 05:59:27
I'm not preaching this Sunday (I've taken the weekends of October off in order to travel with my daughter's marching band to various competitions), but I've been watching the posts on this site. I must say, it seems to me that this pericope has invited an awful lot of eisegesis! Condemnations of the 9 who did not return (because they were too busy, too self-centered, too "religious", too whatever) are purely speculative and clearly eisegetic. Our role as homilists is to draw meaning out of the text (exegete) not to speculate about what isn't there and read our own prejudices (against busyness, self-centeredness, religiosity, or whatever) into the text (eisegete).
Ten were healed; one turned back; that one was Samaritan. What is the message of this simple story? Speculation about the other nine draws our attention away from what Scripture is seeking to teach.
Thanks for listening.
Blessings, Eric in KS
Date: 13 Oct 2001
Time: 06:59:28
Nothing like jumping in really late! Yes, I know Bob Marley's music. Been a fan for years. What hit me this week was thinking of how I would preach this if I was preaching at the nursing home as I sometimes do. I realized that the people in the nursing home would know very much how the lepers felt. Removed from home, loved ones, bodies out of control. How would they react if they were given a second chance at life? Certainly they would be grateful; but how many would turn to Christ?
I thought this would be an easy scripture to preach on, but it has seemed tougher than usual.
grace and peace, rachel
Date: 13 Oct 2001
Time: 08:19:50
I have been playing with the image of a re-union of the ten ex-lepers at some ponit down the road.(Easter/Pentecost...) How has their faith developed in comparison to the way at a re-union the graduates discover who was/is really educated. How are we able to reflect on our journey? How do we get back to Jesus and prostarte ourselves reday to be sent off again? The Eucharist etc? rev.bob UK
Date: 13 Oct 2001
Time: 10:51:05
Most people have prob written their sermon so this might be to late, but o well, here is my take. When Jesus asks where is the other 9 he may simply be pointing to the obvious that the Samaritan is now excluded from community. How arrogant for us to state that the other 9 did not receive wholeness, the where following the Law (as Jesus told them to do) and the Law is also a gift from God. If this is supposed to be a condemnation of Judism how about the fact that Jewish was forever a Jew!
I see this story as a story of 1)Gods compassion, 2)Response to compassion, 3) a call for community.
Jesus whole ministry was to glorify God. The Samaritan, who was not ignorant of the Law because they are decendents of Judiasm and had priests as well, recognized God through Jesus' acts. Matt 5, In the same way, Let your light shine before others, so that they will see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
DM in OK
Date: 13 Oct 2001
Time: 10:53:11
oops, forgot to proof read - should be Jesus was forever a Jew
Dm in oK
Date: 13 Oct 2001
Time: 12:54:10
You are so right GMS in MO. You wrote, We can spend many a sermon preaching at the holes in our pews, lambasting those who are absent--no matter what their excuse. Or we can celebrate that "one that came back." I think this is what Jesus does. He accepts the one who has come with a thankful, rejoicing heart. We as pastors and preachers of His word, NEED to preach about His grace and HIS LOVE for all His children. PD in Bingo
Date: 13 Oct 2001
Time: 13:40:54
Others have commented on the fact that the Samaritan is now a neither/nor: neither able to go past the outer courts of the Temple, nor able to return to the leper colonies. Where else could he go? Reminds me of someone else who struggled with the same question: "Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.'" [John 6:68, nrsv.]
Indeed, where can any of us go to find the wholeness for which our hearts yearn?
VG in TX
Date: 13 Oct 2001
Time: 15:15:09
it strikes me that this is a story about 1 man. Sometimes our minds lose their focus... we hear a story like this, and in our critical mind we begin to compare this and that...we focus on the wrong end of the telescope... we look at the 9 who didn't come back and cross examine their motives.. the why's and wherefores.. and miss the essential truth that this story is about the one man, a foriegner, outsider who was healed, transformed, and thankful. He was an exile, culturally banished, socally deported.
Also think that Luke, a Gentile, an outsider has a message here for the early Church abd the Jewish Christians.
don hoff elmira, NY
Date: 13 Oct 2001
Time: 18:53:28
Just a few musings. The ten lepers were at first a "cohesive" group of lepers..labelled by the community bytheir common affliction. However, when healed the distinction of being Samaritan became obvious. It is in his personal proclamation of faith that we even come to know that he is Samaritan. Is it possible that this is an opportunity to think about how the community of faith makes distinctions about who is in and out of God's favor. Do we use an arbirary "yardstick" to decide who is more faithful? I think of the "first will be last and last will be first". Musings of a neo-theo. Joanne
Date: 13 Oct 2001
Time: 20:49:18
What I find interesting as I ponder my message is that Jesus who is not afraid of touching those he heals, does not touch any of the lepers before he sneds them off. In Luke 5 Jesus does indeed heal the Leper. Interesting thought.
Well, for us Canadians we are looking at these texts for October 10....
I am going to teach people the camp grace "Thank-you God for this fine day (x3) Right where we are." which has a hallelujah chorus (not Handel....)
Then "this fine day" can be replaced with other things - I will invite children and adults to contribute, and we'll add it to the song....
Happy Thanksgiving! (Whichever month you are reading this in!
peace
kent in Québec
Date: 18 Nov 1999
Time: 02:08:28
Jesus uses the outward condition of Leprosy to describe the internal condition within all of us called sin. Jesus cures this condition with a miricle,on the cross, --and how do we respond?
Everyone needs to learn to say thankyou. The Lepars, even my daughter who is three, must be taught to say thankyou.
Jesus does micicles among us every day....
RevRon
Date: 18 Nov 1999
Time: 02:09:06
I am using this text for the Nov 21 Sunday as we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday.
I am always troubled by the lesson of the healing of the 10 lepers and why 9 did not return for thanks to Jesus. Doug Adams at our Pastor's Assembly a number of years ago asked us to imagine what excuses we could offer for these 9 folks. The winning excuse was that 1 leper came back seeking Jesus when he noticed Peter warming his hands over a fire. He asked Peter if he knew where Jesus was? Peter answered "I do not know this man Jesus."
AW-G Rocky Coast Me
Date: 18 Nov 1999
Time: 04:58:55
I am hoping to preach on the OT passage for Thanksgiving on the 21st, but if I recall, the last time I used this passage, I told a story about delivering Thanksgiving dinner to a family in need one year. Their table was covered with junk, dirty dishes in the sink, garbage overflowing out of the cans, etc. We had to clear a spot for the food. And afterward, when all of the food was deposited, we waited......and waited......and waited for those "magic words" most of us learned as children, at least those of us who were "raised right." But the words "Thank you" never came. I and another pastor friend left feeling frustrated that our giving was not received in a more "Christian" manner.
Anyway, I went on to talk about the fact that we do not do what we do in order to receive thanks. Nor does the lack of thanks stop us (nor should it) from doing what we are called to do. I think it is instructive to note that, in spite of not being thanked, even the other nine remained healed. Jesus did not un-heal them. Yes, the one is lifted up as a model, but the other have still received the grace and mercy of God.
So often, we in the church allow the responses of those we serve to determine and impact our future service. Tragically, some churches stop giving and serving altogether because people are ingrateful...
Date: 18 Nov 1999
Time: 04:59:12
I am hoping to preach on the OT passage for Thanksgiving on the 21st, but if I recall, the last time I used this passage, I told a story about delivering Thanksgiving dinner to a family in need one year. Their table was covered with junk, dirty dishes in the sink, garbage overflowing out of the cans, etc. We had to clear a spot for the food. And afterward, when all of the food was deposited, we waited......and waited......and waited for those "magic words" most of us learned as children, at least those of us who were "raised right." But the words "Thank you" never came. I and another pastor friend left feeling frustrated that our giving was not received in a more "Christian" manner.
Anyway, I went on to talk about the fact that we do not do what we do in order to receive thanks. Nor does the lack of thanks stop us (nor should it) from doing what we are called to do. I think it is instructive to note that, in spite of not being thanked, even the other nine remained healed. Jesus did not un-heal them. Yes, the one is lifted up as a model, but the other have still received the grace and mercy of God.
So often, we in the church allow the responses of those we serve to determine and impact our future service. Tragically, some churches stop giving and serving altogether because people are ingrateful...
Date: 18 Nov 1999
Time: 05:02:42
Sorry I forgot to add my name to the above - oops...
Rev. Gary E. Maguffee Morgantown First UMC
Date: 18 Nov 1999
Time: 05:02:56
Sorry I forgot to add my name to the above - oops...
Rev. Gary E. Maguffee Morgantown First UMC
Date: 19 Nov 1999
Time: 01:24:16
Apparently I haven't figured out to send contributions yet!
Gary Maguffee
Date: 22 Nov 1999
Time: 20:01:31
Think about it: Jesus told the 10 to show themselves to the priest. The one who came back to thank him actually ignored Jesus command. There's got to be a message in this!
Is there something here about obedience. The lepers obey Christ before they are healed. Also the number 10 crops up quite a bit, has this any significance. I realise it is probably obvious to people that the only person to show gratitude is the foriegner, the one who is much more aware of recieving grace. Also could somebody pray that even at the age of 34 I learn how to spell properly. My wife says I should go back to infants school.
John (UK)
As always, we're in the midst of our stewardship drive this time of year; thinking of tying in the idea of gratitude with being good stewards of the gifts we're given. I'm aware that this story is supposed to shock the original readers - a creepy Samaritan shows a better understanding of grace than the children of Israel! It's interesting that Luke reports this as a factual story rather than as a parable - any ideas about what Luke was after? K in HB
Properly, this comment belongs to last week's lesson. I am at the late hours for working on "last week's sermon" --truly a desparate preacher this week. Thank you for Ellie's story, last week, Nailbender. Not thinking you will be checking in again at the midnight hour of Oct 4's sermon, I'm posting this "ahead to be sure I do thank you. It's been a heartbreaker of a week in my little Appalachian town. Tuesday night a 13 year old suddenly collapsed and died on the football field. He wasn't a member of my congregation, but of another. He had family in my congregation however--it's a very large clan. Only 15 months ago his 15 year old sister was killed in a car accident. For reasons irrelevant here, I have come into a relationship of pastoral care with this family over this year. Their pastor did not come to the hospital. The family asked the hospital to page me, and Iwent. The grief was hard to behold. To lose two children in just over a year shocked and grieved many in our little town. Over and over again I was asked, "How are they going to keep on living?" That night in the emergency room, I wsn't sure they would. They were both quite suicidal. The next day a group of us who are pastors were invited to spend the day with the middle school kids. In each little group who came to me, I asked about whether they had experienced the loss of someone really close before. Incredibly, almost all had. Mothers, fathers, grandparents, a classmate who burned to death when they were fifth graders, brothers, sisters...they were well acquinted with grief, to be so young. I spent a lot of time with this family this week, mainly because their pastor never came, never appeared at all, never touched or held them, grieving and sobbing. Still, he had the funeral. I think every parent there wondered how this grieving family would go on. At the end of such a week, I come to this site feeling depleted and tired. There haven't been enough hours this week. And that is when Nailbender's story of Ellie for 10/4 touched me...and when I looked ahead to 10/11 it occurs to me how appropriate Nailbender's story is for this week too. "where else could I possibly be...where else could I be?" Ellie asks in the story. People at the funeral wondered aloud to me, how this bereaved family could even bear to come to the church where they had just buried their daughter, the church where the pastor had so seriously abandoned them. People wondered aloud how these two people could continue to have any faith at all...and what they were really wondering is if their own faith could be sustained in the face of such loss and grief, even faith the size of a mustard seed. People tried desperately to find something to say that would make it all make sense, something that would be comforting, all the while wondering how God could allow such a thing. And this is where Ellie's response (see 10/4, Nailbender) struck this desperate and depleted preacher to the heart. Where else could we be? In the face of the mystery, the suffering, the loss...there is no other place to be that would offer any trustable answer or comfort. Only the Lord of life, only the forsaken, crucified One, where else has any trustable answer? Where else could the thankful leper be? Nothing else in the world can make sense of it, nothing else in the world can make hope of it. This is the faith that heals our grief, our loss of meaning, that remains trustworthy in the face of the death of all our other gods, the failure of every other in which or in whom we put our trust. Where else would we be? Thanks for the story, Nailbender. It was very healing for me. Betsy in Oh
Dear Betsy. God bless you and the family. There is a hymn "Where could I go but to the Lord?" Your experience reminded me of that. Grace and faith and healing and miracle and praise are all found in the work of making church together. Keep up the work! Boyd in NC
"Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well." Did the faith of the other nine make them well too? Obedience is the fruit of faith. They all did go to the priests, yes? Why did only one return? Did only the foreigner go to give thanks because only the foreigner had no place else to go? Was everyone else distracted by other blessings that were so near (family, friends, work, home, etc....)? Are we also too busy, tending to what we have, to remember to give thanks? Is our Sabbath so full of shopping and laundry and homework, and "quality time" (and sermon giving, and Sunday School Lessons, and church business) that we can't make time to tell God thanks? SS in PA
Betsy,
Our prayers are with you as you continue to minister to this family. This morning, I laid hands on, and hand anyone in the church who was willing to participate lay hands on, one of our members who faces surgery on Tuesday morning to repair an aneurism (sp?) in his aorta. The aneurism is right above his belly button. This has been a great surprise to the family. The morning his doctor called him, he had cut down about six trees on his property. My good friend, actually my children's guardian, who came to this church after I cared for her father, and did his funeral, said to me "I wanted our minister to do that for my Mom, but he refused." I thought "My God, why not?" Are we so wrapped up in our own definitions of "proper" Christianity that we can never bend to give a family comfort when they need it the most?
I was not asked to do this. Toward the end of the service, I felt led by the Spirit. There were those who did not participate, a couple could not because they couldn't walk fast enough, but almost the whole church particpated.
Are we so wrapped up in ourselves, that we cannot even stop to give thanks?
My other concern, however, is after reminding my folks this morning that they shouldn't expect thanks from God for doing what is expected of disciples, here we have Jesus expecting thanks for doing that which we expect of God. How'm I gonna rectify the two?
RevJan
Oops . . . forgot to tell you this. Leonard Sweet in Homelitics this week suggests buying thank you cards for the children in the congregation and giving them to them. With Christmas coming up and all, its not a bad idea. I only have 12 children in my congregation, so I can do that. I know some of you cannot, but the visual of having notecards that say thank you (even if you have only one box that you use) is a good idea.
RevJan
Betsy in OH,
My heart ached as I read your words. What an incredibly difficult, incredibly trying circumstance. My prayers are with you and with the family of the children lost. May God's Holy Spirit lead and guide you as you fulfill the pastoral duties He has called you to.
You close with the question "where else would we be?" I'm reminded of John's Gospel, when many of Jesus' followers had left Him after a hard teaching ('eat my flesh... drink my blood...'). Jesus turns to the 12 apostles and asks them if they too want to leave and Peter answers "To whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life." Life has dealt this family a terribly hard blow. Whether there's a lesson to be learned would be the wrong focus. I think you Betsy have the right focus. To whom should this family turn, to the Lord Jesus Christ who has the words of eternal life. I pray Betsy and trust that they see the reflection of Jesus in your countenance.
RevJan,
Thank God for your obedience. I am also disturbed by those clergy who refuse to lay hands on the sick (or anoint them with oil). Our Vicar tried a laying on of hands ministry time for the sick after communion on Sunday's for a short period (about 3 weeks). It was not well received by many in the pews. I believe that's a sad thing. I was warmed by your obedience (and the obedience of your congregation). I'm trusting that Jesus will heal this man.
Rick in Va
Betsy, dear Sister,
In sharing, your story, in sharing your grief, you have given us all such a beautiful gift - you have given me such a beautiful gift. Thank you dear sister, thank you. I know the sharing is not easy. I am so deeply, deeply moved by your response, but more, by your presence. Certainly you have entered into that place which even angels fear, that place of the darkest despair, that place of the deepest sorrow and the blackest night. I would offer up a statement about courage and faith; however, I think you might have gone with great foreboding and trembling and a sense that you only went because you could do no other. Who among us could go otherwise, who among us?
We go, because in the end, we desperately cling to the hope of Christ - to the hope of this Samaritan Leper - that even in the nightmare of the most horrifying circumstance, there will Christ be in the midst, even there.
Betsy, I know that you bear the pain of unbelievable suffering and I know dear sister, that healing will come slowly, especially as you continue to reach out to this family and community who have been so horribly scarred. And I know that the following is so often cliché, yet, I feel the need to say the words anyway, maybe because I can offer up little else: Betsy, God loves you and I love you.
Shalom,
Nail-Bender in NC
If any of you has recovering alcoholics or addicts in your flock, ask them about the attitude of gratitude and ask to go with them to an open meeting.
Another humbling experience has been the attitude of gratitude in a Liberian refugee camp in Ghana from whence some friends just returned last month. One, in great pain from her foot, had just managed to limp outside to dump her slop bucket about 7:30 am, when a prayer team of young people came singing down the path, having been in prayer since 4 am. Without so much as requesting permission, they encircled her, lifted her foot, and prayed with such annointing that she has walked without pain or cane to this day. Despite all they have endured, the Liberians say, God is too good--all the time. Anne in Providence
Dear Betsy, although others have said, i too want to thank you for sharing and want to let you know that i am praying for you and the family (ies) you are caring for. grief - an incredible ripping out of our insides. i know my children are only here for a while, but i think it would rip me in two for them to die before me. thank you for your caring. it's funny how important touch is, and yet so many of you also "touch " me through this impersonal sharing system. thanks.
to John (UK): hey, i can spell, but i can't type, so i don't know if it makes any difference! i've been amazed at the number of school personnel who will admit to being lousy spellers - as we try to help my daughter who had learning difficulties in this area.
just an early thought: is this another example of "religion" getting in the way of true joyous living in relationship with God? were the others so intent upon showing themselves to the priests, that they didn't want to risk turning back and giving thanks? do we do things like this? (stan, where in the great state of TN are you?)
grace and peace,
rachel
What is it about a stranger, a samaritan, who is the one who returns to give thanks - and those who are God's chosen / frozen are the ones who anticipate and expect it. What has happened to thanks-giving in our faith communities - why have we all become like the other 9 - obeying the word but not going beyond the letter of the law and give praise to God?
Tom in GA
Hello all, this is my first posting. I'm wondering as I read this text about whether or not there's a point to be made about our salvation being intimately linked with praise and thanksgiving for who God is and what God has done. Is there not something salvific in saying thank you? A humility which is necessary to say it and mean it? And I, too, wonder about whether we on the "inside" of the institutional church have fallen into routine piety and have forgotten the amazing power, mercy and grace which we proclaim to be true? Thank you all for your faithfulness. Don in Ohio
Dear Friends,
I wonder whether this week we can heed these words from the second letter to Timothy:
"... warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening." !!
HW in HI
Dear friends,
I appreciate so much the input from everyone! (Makes it harder for me to preach, in some ways, but I love it.)
I am especially missing the good words of Kay & Pasthersyl! (P- I saw your last short input, but would appreciate more. Kay - are you alright?)
HW in HI
RevJan,
Here are some thoughts of my own that I hope will give you some idea how to retify last week Gospel lesson with this week Gospel lesson.
When we expect thanks, it is usually for selfish reasons. How many times have I done something expecting to be thanked and then been disappointed when I didn't get any? And to make it difficult, it is human nature. I think many of us want to know we make a difference in people's lives. And we want to know that people really appreciated what we did. That it meant something to someone.
Jesus, on the other hand, was not expecting thanks for selfish reasons. He knew we needed to have gratitude to be faithful disciples. When we are thankful, we can't be discouraged, selfish, or grumpy. Being thankful is really for our needs. We need gratitude for our health and our relationship with God. Here is something given by V. Norskov Olsen who was President of Loma Linda University:
"Thankfulness leaves no room for discouragement. I once read a legend of a man who found the barn where Satan kept his seeds ready to be sown in the human heart, and on finding the seeds of discouragement more numerous than others, he learned that those seeds could be made to grow almost anywhere. When Satan was questioned, he reluctantly admitted that there was one place in which he could never get them to thrive. 'And where is that?' asked the man. Satan replied sadly, 'In the heart of a grateful man.'
William Law wrote in "A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life," "Would you know who is the greatest saint in the world? It is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives most alms, or is more eminent for temperance, chastity, or justice; but it is he who is always thankful to God who wills everthing that God willeth, who receives everything as an instance of God's goodness, and has a heart alwasy ready to praise God for it."
God calls us to do his works in this world. If we do things only if we are thanked for them, we may not do many things. But at the same time, we need to be thankful to God. It is necessary to our well-being as well as our relationship with God.
Brandon in CA
Brandon,
Thanks for your insights. They do help.
I guess one of my thoughts is that at this point, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem and the cross. I wonder if he isn't a bit tired, having preached the same thing, having done the same things, for three years, yet not seen any great movement toward changes in people's lives. (Sound familiar?) I don't plan to explore that thought in my sermon (but then I never know what the Holy Spirit plans), but I think it is something for us preachers to think about when we get discouraged. Even Christ became discouraged. The difference is we expect him to change people for our convenience. He, on the other hand, said "Not my will, but thine . . ."
RevJan
Dear all,
It has been some time since I visited and contributed. As I have been busily moving to Nashville, Tn from Memphis to pastor a church that was in deep trouble. Their pastor resigned prior to them and the District firing her. It has been ruff to hear all that was going on here, an dis going on here.
I find this passage very relevant to this church. For too long they have been both unthankful and disobedient. They wanted to be in their own little world, and they blamed others because they were in their own little world.
Today it is hard to praise God and thank God for bringing me here (for one I still travel to Memphis to assist with the church there.) I know and I do, at least in my mind, thank God for this opportunity, but it is frustrating.
I have women leaving this church, even though I have only been here four weeks. They wanted a woman as a pastor, but then they all vote dto call me. Maybe I need to just focus on the future and what God is going to do with the people that are left. How can I celebrate and praise like this Samaritan?
It is strange just writing this down is making me feel better and begin to see possibility now. Sometimes I wish God would work differently. I am beginning to get that song that will carry me through. Maybe, just maybe, today obedience is pointless and learning to praise through diffuculty is the point. Giving thanks where it is due.
Betsy, you will remain in my and my congregations (here and in Memphis) prayers. I also covet your prayers as we continue this journey that is going to lead this church to healing and hope. It may not be easy, but I am willing to follow.
Grace, Love and Peace Greg in Nashville (formerly Greg in Memphis)
SJS in WI
This is my first submission, as well. Thanks, all for your voice. The thought is this; a lot of Luke's writings have something of 'where' they occur, in this case, in a foreign area, a place where one finds sinners, outcasts, lepers, etc. Our preaching is often "to the choir" and not where sin is easier to find. Now, the shift...we have outcasts right in front of us, the Lazarus at the gate. The fact that there are ten lepers, one of whom is grateful, means to me that I must look harder with eyes of faith and forgiveness. Thoughts?
Dear Greg of Nashville,
Glad to hear you again, friend!
As for the people who wanted someone else to be their pastor, I have this to offer: They wanted Jesus. I am deeply aware that my parsh (having called me last Spring) wanted Jesus. In some ways, the joke is on them, 'cuz they got me! And boy, can they ever tell me what was wrong with he who went before me. They, of course, were victims....
But to my point: it is way cool for them to want Jesus. If the world knew to want Jesus, we can only guess! My thoughts (and take them with a bit of salt, given my mere 3 months here) are that perhaps you should let them have a glimpse of the City of God through your work, your presence. Let them know that Christ is for them (and who can be against them)! Jesus Christ is our great high priest. I know from your writings that you are his good servant, so I know you won't abuse them -- but one guess is that they are afraid that you will.
My spouse has a saying (borne in fact from our family dinner table): it is hard to say grace when your mouth is full. And so it is. We need to stop chewing and say grace!
You are in my prayers. How about a hymn: In Christ there is no east or west... (or male or female...)
HW in HI
Last night I was reading Bruce Molina's Social Science Commentary on the Synoptics for this passage. He views this passage as a Patron/Subordinate exchange wherein the Patron's (Jesus') social class is so far above the subordinates that he (the Leper) cannot pay Jesus back in kind with favors or goods so he instead thanks him. This public thanking is an acknowledgements of Jesus' superior standing and of Jesus' position as the Son of God by the Leper.
The other 9 presumed that they were in a normal exchange situation wherein they could repay Jesus with either a favor or goods or ??? in the future. It is their failure to recognize who Jesus is, that causes the problem.
I'm thinking of preaching on our inability to recognize who Jesus is, his importance in our lives, and our desire to treat him as an equal whom we can negotiate and bargain with instead of seeing Jesus as the Son of God and the one who is in control. Or as a friend once said, "There is a God -- and I'm not it."
James in San Diego karlajames@unidial.com
Hi, all. This is my first visit to the site and as a brand new pastor, I can use all the help I can get!
I keep thinking about how these passages relate to the situation in a lot of churches these days. I heard someone talk yesterday about how second and third (and so on) generation Christians have somewhat lost the joy and feelings of humble gratitude that is experienced by someone who has a dramatic and radical conversion. Perhaps, this Samaritan, who had been excluded from the worship of the Jewish God, was moved to offer his thanksgiving, because he did not take anything for granted.
Just some thoughts. Keep the rest coming, I love it!
Pastor Nancy from NY
The nine lepers remind me of those in our So Cal congregation who come to church on sunday a.m. to "be fed", to get something for themselves, and that's ALL. The tenth reminds me of those for whom the good news is truly new, and truly good - they can't help but acknowledge their encounter with Jesus. The blessings are always available to us - sometimes it really is all we can manage to be with our community and be fed - but when we acknowledge our blessings, internalize them, and grow from them, we bear witness to Christ's continuing action in our lives. And other lives are potentially transformed as well. The nine? We can hope that the transformative power of Christ eventually broke in on their hearts as well as in their bodies and they were unable to hold back their thanksgiving and acknowledgement of Christ's work in them any longer. I remember my own first encounter with the church as an adult; I crossed my arms, wouldn't receive Communion, stand for the Creed, kneel for the prayers - I thought I had to apprehend it all, "get it", before I could whole-heartedly participate. Once I had actually experienced the grace of opening up to receive God's love and the community's, I was not only bubbling with gratitude but ready to participate fully in the life of the congregation. Thanks for all your comments - I love knowing that you all are out there. K in HB
Hi It's Monday and do you know where your pastor is, in her office struggling with the text for next Sunday... (still, yet again). I got this site at a "baby pastor's" retreat from James in San Diego (thanks James). And it's great fun and helpful, too. Sometimes being a (new) pastor is lonely, and sometimes my life is just too full. But you guys are great company on the journey. Bestsy, know I am remembering you and your family... two deaths of children in a year... I cannot even begin to imagine how to minister to those folks. And to Greg, well, gee, most folks want a man as pastor (I had several women leave my parish, last year when I started...not fun).
Ok second try from new pastor (computor illiterate), and new contributer...don't have much help for you guys on the l0 lepers...but will be doing a healing service (looking at Henri Nouwen's Wounded Healer...). Just wanted to say hi and thanks...I need all the community I can get (not to mention help on sermons.) thanks gail in Berkeley (gail.cromack@gte.net)
To Greg in Nashville,
Boy, it's great to "hear" your voice again! I've missed you. Just continue your faithful ministry---God will work through you. NC Friend
My brother Greg,
Let me just reiterate what my NC Friend said -- it truly is great to once again hear your voice and feel your presence. You bring perspective which is always meaningful, challenging, reflective, and loving. We are praying for you and your "new" home. I am sure your congregation will be richly blessed.
Shalom my friend,
Nail-Bender in NC
Hello, I get so much reading all the great comments, and was encouraged by the new posters, so thought I might chime in. This passage is often the lectionary passage for Thanksgiving (USA), so I was looking for a different angle this time around. We know the 9 Jewish lepers returned to the priest, and the 10th, a Samaritan suddenly found himself not able to follow his colony of lepers to the Temple. Where could he go? To Jesus. Interesting isn't it, that so long as they are all sick and outcast, there is no division between the Jews and the Samaritan. A leper is a leper is a leper...until they are healed that is. Then the old barriers and divisions are back in place. Perhaps that is why Jesus said, "you faith has made you well (whole)." The others, while no longer covered with sores, were not yet completely well. Is Jesus pointing out the fact that all of a sudden THIS leper is still an outcast, while the others are headed for the Temple? Maybe the focus isn't on saying "thank you," but on "where are the others?" Special thanks to our lectionary group for some of these thoughts. --LC in KS
Greg,
So glad to have you back and to hear how things are in your new parish. For the last couple of weeks I have been meaning to post an SOS to see if you were out there in the ethos some where. Sounds like you have a great opportunity to do some healing whether or not anyone thanks you. Welcome home, anyway.
Betsy,
So glad you were there to hold and weep with that family. Too bad their pastor couldn't manage it; but God sent you. And it was good.
Jane in Lenox
Good Comments by SS in PA and LC in KS! As I was paging down and reading the comments it dawned on me that a Samaritan would not be allowed to see the priests (then I got to LC's comment). Where else could he go? He could go to see the one who healed him. The other nine had a place to go and they went (we can suppose, with thanksgiving - clearly they must have been thankful, Luke never says they weren't thankful, how else could they have felt.) The nine were obedient to Jesus command, and went to the temple to see the priests, to be declared officially clean, possibly offer a thank offering, and to rejoin their lives and families. The Samaritan expressed his thanks, offered his thank offering, to the only person he could. And received an extra blessing - the declaration of the faith that has made him well.
It feels good to return to preaching on the lectionary this week (after preaching topics over the summer), and I love this passage. As the previous notes show--great themes in it! I like Pastor Nancy's posting on how the "unchurched" can often express their gratitude better than the churched generations.
My reading of this passage (through the eyes of my congreg.) is that we mainline church folks need to learn how to worship all over again. After the lepers were "dismissed" I imagine Jesus continued with his teaching (service). Can you imagine standing there while this still dirty leper in rags makes his way through the crowd, prostrating himself before Jesus, praising God IN A LOAD VOICE must have disturbed our worshipers? Maybe I'll even dramatize this sermon by taking off my robe and prostrating myself in the sanctuary shouting, "thank you Lord, praise you Lord!" (Make 'em feel uncomfortable). We need to learn once again to really give thanks (worship God) from the bottom of our hearts and express it freely. Why is it that almost everywhere else we go we clap, shout, cheer, but when we go to church, there is this emotional barrier. . . any thoughts?
Frank
welcome Don, SJS, Nancy, Gail and others and welcome back Greg. How wonderful it is that this group uplifts one another in care and prayer. Manzel
There is much I do not understand. I doubt that Jesus was finding fault in the 9 leapers if first they were doing exactly as he told them and second it was required by the law that they first be certified as clean before they get close to anyone or participate in any kind of social gathering; worship, celebration or otherwise. But Jesus is clearly affirming the Samaritans gratitude and faith as well as stressing the fact that he is a "foreigner". Looks like one more time when Jesus is making a big deal, affirming the faith of someone whose religion was different. So what is faith? Here it seems to be a disposition that is connected with gratitude. Could it be that Jesus is giving us a new deffinition of faith? Friends, tell me in your words, how does Jesus define faith? (and how is that different from religion?) Manzel
Manzel,
I'll try but keep in mind these are rather personal definitions.
Religion is about ritual, Faith is about relationships.
Religion is about less than concrete beliefs, Faith is about concrete trust.
Religion is eventually empty, Faith is eventually deeply fulfilling.
Religion is vaguely defined, Faith is much more specific.
Religion is the trappings of faith, Faith is the nectar underneath.
Religion is about definitions of divinity, Faith is trusting Jesus as Lord, as Savior.
Rick in Va
First time contributor. Enjoy all of the comments. In fact, I enjoyed them so much I felt guilty for just reading and not contributing. I particularly enjoyed Brandon from Ca. This whole section of Luke's gospel has been a excursus on discipleship; what it means, what is required, etc..It takes sacrifice, hard-work, counting the cost, doing your duty (last week), and, as one of you already pointed out, it takes an attitude of gratitude. Because disicipleship reflects a peculiar way of looking at the world. For example, I thought about taking a bit of poetic license and playfully looking at some of reasons why the other 9 lepers did not turn back. Perhaps there were family or work obligations; perhaps there was one that simply forgot. And then there's that person that doesn't turn back because they thought they deserved it. The world owes them something, and, in fact, they thought it was about time they got healed, and they're a little miffed that it didn't happen sooner. But one turned back because in his encounter with Christ, this outsider was able to see something that we insiders often overlook. Could an element of discipleship be something as simple as the way we view the world, and the expectations we have of it? and God? Buran in Florida.
This is my first time writing in - but I have certainly appreciated the insights I have found here. I am intrigued with the gratitude of the outsider. Was his thankfulness because he had the least expectation of healing? Does this speak in some way to our tendancy to feel "entitled" in this culture so that we take for granted the many blessings, miracles, healings that are ours? I also am thinking about the way God continually is the healing presence regardless of our recognition, appreciation, understanding, theology, etc. etc. Still thinking about many things here. - Margot
The nine Jewish lepers must have been joyful to fulfill their religious duty, chattering among themselves as they returned to the priests for their certificates of acceptability. Nothing wrong with that. But, as some of you have noted, the Samaritan leper would have horrified the priest. So he couldn't hang out with the Jews.
Jesus loved accepting unacceptable people--with all our sores and pus.
Sometimes the Desperate Preacher's Site begins to feel like Churchfolk at the Coffee Hour, with old friends rushing to chat and bless and affirm, while newcomers self-consciously nibble their biscuits on the sidelines and then slip out when no one's watching. The central clique is hard to break into. But often, in someone's quiet story, I've discovered Jesus standing at a little distance, watching us all with love, acceptance and healing. God bless you. Anne in Providence
It is interesting seeing the contributions which deal with the ritual observances of the lepers (ie. Showing themselves to the Priets.) But the lepers were not performing any recognisable ritual because when Jesus told them to do this they hadn't been healed. They just went to perform this meaningless task out of obedience. there was no point to it. Healing came after that act.
Also, this passage follows the text on slaves being grateful for any grace shown. We find elswhere a distinction between wages (ie. 'of sin is death) and the 'gift' of God. Wages are deserved, while a gift is not dependent on what is deserved. maybe the other nine lepers felt that Jesus owed them a favour, while the other realised that he was 'owed' nothing. He saw himself as a slave while the others saw themselves as employees. we are obedient, not because we deserve reward but because Jesus chose to give. Sometimes ou culture expects God to deliver punishment as wages. But God never gives wages only a gift.
I am also intrigued by the fact that the lepers never came to Jesus and asked for healing but only asked for mercy. Any clues to why thiuus might be?
God bless,
John (UK)
Hi everybody,
I'm at it a little earlier this week. Some odd thoughts: Imagine the incredible ordeal of leprosy. A mysterious, maybe uncurable disease attacks your body. You're cut off from everybody, trapped, imprisoned, traumatised by this thing that's happened in your body and by these religious customs that protect everybody else from you. You live in a colony with other lepers outside of town, Jew and Gentile together.But then somehow, to be set free from all that!
As a boomer, I find it hard to conjure up that kind of gratitude. Thanksgiving is always a stretch for me, it seems boring. I've never lived thru a war or a depression.
And what an example of faith! How often are we stunned when the "wrong kind" of person shows up in church, full of new faith, a faith that whoops and hollers, that embarrases us sedate 5th generation church goers? Luke's example of faith is found in a despised Samaritan, a half breed Jew who doesn't even worship at the temple in Jerusalem.
Larry cny
Thank you RevJan for your interesting insight. When you posted your comments, I immediately remembered a cartoon in my collection. It shows a pastor leaning on the pulpit and saying, "This is my fourth sermon on the transforming power of the gospel. Why do you look like the same old bunch?"
I've known the frustration you mentioned. But I'm excited about my new church. I've only been here three months, but the people seemed to want to do great things for God. The members are engaged in mission in different ways, but some of them are wondering if more can be done. At the last Adminstrative Council meeting, the lay leader came to me and said he would like to see more "wrestling" with mission and ministry issues in the meetings of the Ad Council. After talking with him, I came to realize he was talking about looking at what the church could do in ministry and mission. He just wanted to see the council to deal with more than just administrative business during the meetings. I'm thanking God for this man and the congregation which is concerned about the church's ministry to the community and mission to the world.
And thank you all for your comments. There are so many wonderful ideas that I can't decide which on to go with. I'll have to take a good look at my congregation.
I would like to offer another insight I got from one of my readings. Many translations translate verse 19 as "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well." The book I read suggested another way to translate that verse is "Your faith has made you whole." It went on to say, "A truly whole human relates to God's will in more than mere obedience, although obedience is the beginning of faith." I like this because I'm always talking about how Jesus wants us to be whole which includes our mind, emotions, body, and soul. I think we have all seen some example of one part of ourselves can affect another part of ourselves. So we are all moving to wholeness. The only question I have is: was the Samaritan leper made completely whole or only very close to wholeness. I have wondered if wholeness is possible to have while we are living here on earth.
Betsy and Greg, I will keep you two in my prayers. May you feel strengthened and empowered by the Holy Spirit as you travel the difficult journeys ahead.
Brandon in CA
I am preaching on Luke on Oct 11 and can't seem to get the idea out of my mind that even though only one leper gave thanks, the other 9 were still healed. It seems that grace is active even in the face of bad manners. Last week, the cry was increase my faith, but I think these days people cry, increase my speed or make my days 36hours long so that I can fill them with worry or endless children's activities. Anything so that I don't have to notice that I am spiritually starving. California may be different from other areas of the country. It is so fast here that New Yorkers may have difficulty keeping up. Dancing, sports, scouts, and other things are good for the physical, but I am afraid the spiritual body won't be saved by the rapid movement. What is it we say in 12 step groups? Feelings, reality, can't hit a moving target! PM@So.CA.
You know, this is really fun. And I'm glad to see I'm not the only first-timer this week. As I have been pondering and praying over this text, I got to thinking about the notion that the one who came back was told, "your faith has made you (whole)."
We have a brand new Borders Book Store and Cafe nearby where I live, and I was amazed to see the size of the self-help section. Self-help -- where we go to look for healing and wholeness and balance in our lives.
Perhaps for the truly faithful child of God, that healing and wholeness includes a profound offering of praise and thanksgiving to God!
Don in Ohio
As I was returning from the annual PPR review the pastor's salary meeting last night, I was reflecting on some of our discussion there. I had raised the concern that I have been preaching involvement, ministry, doing SOMETHING for four years, and everyone's still sitting on their rumps. (I didn't put it in exactly THOSE words!) I asked if people were resisting, reacting to my being a woman, standing firm on doing what I believe is right for the WHOLE congregation (not just my favorites), etc.
We have three 'ministry' committees who each were given $100 this year to begin to develop some kind of ministry in their particular area: Nurture, Outreach, Witness. If they needed more, they could ask for it, but this was to bee seed money to develop new ministries. I even had a one day training session with the entire church council to talk about this, give them leadership skills, etc. ANYWAY, not ONE of these committees has met all year! Even when we said "we need your reports," not one of them met! Or asked about meeting. Or anything. It's like preaching to a brick wall. You all know what I'm talking about (and thanks for letting me vent my frustration).
One of the people there said she thought it was just that everyone's so busy, they just don't have time for much more in their lives. On the way home, I reflected on that. Most people in my church think I "have it together." What they don't see is my daughter's kindergarten papers (she's now in 2nd grade) that are still on my desk because I haven't figured out how to store them yet; or the great mounds of filing that aren't done; or the laundry from last week that isn't finished. Yet, I find time for church stuff. I check DPS, do my research, try to do readings, etc. I find time for church, not because I'm paid to, but because God comes first in my life -- most days.
It's a matter of priorities. You can find time to do what you want to do. You can find the time to do that which is important to you. You can find ways to serve God and your church when you put God first in your life, and you can find ways to praise and thank God when God is first in your life.
I'm approaching this from the point that the Samaritan put God first in his life. He recognized God in Jesus, and therefore returned to Jesus to thank God for his healing. Thankfulness, greatfulness was a priority in his life.
This scripture is the scripture for Year A Thanksgiving. Next year is Year A. I think I may go with a Thanksgiving theme this Sunday, they may be more ready to hear it now than in 6 weeks, when it is expected. Don't know what I'll do next year.
Greg, I add my welcome home.
Anne in Providence, I'm sorry you've felt left-out, on the fringe. It's not meant that way. It's just that after a while, we all feel like family. I've only been posting a few months, but I was welcomed, as you are in the name of Christ who excludes no one. Continue with your comments, they are very valuable, and even if no one acknowledges everything we all say, we are all touched and challenged by each other.
Rick. Thanks so much for those analogies. I will save them
RevJan
Hello again-- Ten lepers, 9 Jew, 1 Samaritan. All together in their disease. 9 Jews make room for a Samaritan who is like them. Then--a healing! And the Samaritan is ...different now. One of THEM! Seems to me when we all come confessing our brokeness before Christ, we find commonality. Yet, the moment we find comfort from our ailment...we quickly re-assert our differences, our status over one another. Blacks and whites fought side by side in WWII. They had common goals, a common affliction--war. But the war ended. The GI's returned home. To what? Segregation. The same old same old. I ask again, is the story about thankfulness, or is this Jesus' way of once again pointing out to those around--why is this one here alone? Why are there not 9 others with him? Oh yes...they went to the TEMPLE. Hmmm. LC in KS
Boy all this talk about being thankful and not being thankful - of where could I go but to the Lord reminds me of when I was a brand new Christian. Not being raised in a Christian family who went to church, the church was a strange place to me and church people, especially pastors were a strange lot to me. I was not comfortable around them. But, I was confortable with Jesus. When I was troubled or thankful or excited I would turn to Jesus in prayer or song or both. I was not comfortable turning to the church. Now I am a pastor!! "I've come a long way baby!!"
I guess my point is that there are times and situations when we are comfortable to go to the "church" and there are times when we go to the Lord and there are times when we do not make the connection of church and Jesus. They are not always synonomous (hey you guys do not have a market on not being able to spell) The sad truth is that sometimes the church, the pastor and the congregation are not enough "like Christ" so that going to Jesus would be the same as going to chur going to the pastor, going to a member of our congre gation. Case in point is the trouble Betsy is dealing with!! GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU BETSY AS YOU MINISTER TO THOSE WHO NEED JESUS EVEN WHEN THEY ARE NOT "OF YOUR CONGREGATION". I am convinced that I am appointed, not just to my congregation, but to the community of people. I "mop up after other pastor's boboos and hopefully they mop up after mine!! As hard as I try I know there are times in the past 6+ years that I have not been able to "be there" for every one who needed me - although I can not imagine not being there for someone in the case like yours Betsy. My first year in ministry I had a woman who in one year lost a son and her husband and two years later lost her last son. I came to town as a brand new pastor during the death of her last son. I did not "know" what to do for her except just be there. I called, even on my vacation, and took special time with her for years. She is doing her own kind of ministry for people who have losses these days. She has made it and isn't afraid to let others know that it was Jesus who saw her through. I think that may be why some pastors are reluctant to "be there" for people in this kind of situation - I think they are not sure enough that Jesus will come through!!!
jmj in Wisconsin
OPPS!! I wasn't quite finished with my thoughts.
Pastor's sometimes get hung up with thinking that we aways need the answers for people, when all they need is for us to just stand beside them, love them, beileve for them. I have even told people who are struggling with belief during such hard times, "I will believe for you until you can claim your own belief back again." It is like the "foot prints in the sand" kind of theology. I hold them up in prayer while they find it too difficult to pray. Sometimes people are hurting too much to "feel" God's presence, but they can feel and experience ours. That is a large part of our work as disciples to be "like Christ" for others!!
me again. jmj in Wisconsin
OPPS!! I wasn't quite finished with my thoughts.
Pastor's sometimes get hung up with thinking that we aways need the answers for people, when all they need is for us to just stand beside them, love them, beileve for them. I have even told people who are struggling with belief during such hard times, "I will believe for you until you can claim your own belief back again." It is like the "foot prints in the sand" kind of theology. I hold them up in prayer while they find it too difficult to pray. Sometimes people are hurting too much to "feel" God's presence, but they can feel and experience ours. That is a large part of our work as disciples to be "like Christ" for others!!
me again. jmj in Wisconsin
Dear Friends,
Thanks for a wonderful welcome back, and for the prayers. Tihs day I have felyt the tenderness of love and strength surrounding me, And somehow - I am not sure how I knew that it was you. Those that I have never seen, but call brother, sister - friend.
Anyway - I had a flash tonight as I was preparing to sit down with two young, and bright individuals to discuss the possibility of them going into the Formation (Pastoral Education) process. As my volunteer secretary and I were spending almost as much as I made last month in Office Depot we happened upon some Thank You cards. I just hap hazardly threw them in the cart thinking nothing about this Scripture.
Then as I was eating and rereading this for Sunday (at both churches) I had a Holy Ghost moment! Use those cards in the Celebration Sunday. Use them to make the point of thanking and Praising God for all that they have! Remind them that the Obedience is pointless if you are scared into it, but if it is flowing from a pure and thankful heart any shortcomings will not be present. That is because the perfector will assure that it is done well.
So this Sunday MCC Nashville and Safe Harbor MCC will be sending Jesus THANK YOU cards.
Grace and Peace, Greg in Nashville
Dear Friends,
Last week on Saturday I put together all the names of all the contributors to this site for the week, and Sunday being World Communion Day, I took them to the altar rail very early, and prayed for each. As I looked at the list, I saw that each had offered moving, insightful, challenging, passionate or otherwise valuable words. And some had been vulnerable to the rest, offering their pain. In some ways these names stick with me. Before Greg took off, he shared his pain and worries, so some of us that read that particular entry sort of held him in prayer. This week Betsy's story echoes in my heart. I just want to say that whether or not I or someone else manages to mention your moniker here - your words and offerings are valued, even treasured.
Tonight I am asking for your prayers. On Sunday our organist did not show, and we learned how very musically challenged our whole comngregation is. Our final hymn - I love to tell the story- we could not carry at all, and I was trying to move our procession out as fast as possible. There was relieved laughter as I gave the dismissal before the final verse. Yesterday I learned our organist was in the hospital, and was saddened to find my visit refused. I learned today that it is possible our organist attempted suicide Sunday morning; at the organist's request, the hospital is giving out no information -- so I cannot be sure. However, my gut says it is so. I am asking for your prayers. I will offer my ministry again tomorrow, and I pray that if mine is not helpful, someone else's will be....
HW in HI
There's an ecumenical angle to this passage. Jesus heals both Jew and Samaritan and tells them to go see the priest. The Samaritan would go to his own priest in his own religion.
HW, how devastating. I'm praying that god's grace will be poured out on you and your organist and your congregation.Blessings, Larry cny.
HW in HI,
Last night at our Alpha course meeting (a tremendous 10 week 'back to basics' Bible Study program), we were informed of a suicide attempt by a co-worker friend of one of our attendees. It is so tragic that people come to this.
I pray that we will have the spiritual wherewithall to recognize those who are hurting and offer them the living waters that Christ brings to partake of.
RevJan,
I can 'hear' your frustration. I've already plugged the Alpha course here in this post and am want to do so again. We're are seeing hearts re-kindled by the Holy Spirit as we stress the basics of the faith. Might I infringe upon you to consider an Alpha course for your congregation? I can send you e-mail with details.
Anne in Providence,
I too think that stressing gratitude is key to this week's gospel lesson. Someone else used the 'frozen chosen' moniker that I think describes adequately far too many in our pews today (see RevJan's problem). So thanks for your input. I'm glad you put down your biscuit for a moment ;-) .
I believe that depite the 'frozen', the lackadaisical (sp?), that the Word must be preached, conversion expected, fruit born. So preach the Word Desperate Preachers, and put down them biscuits!
Rick in Va
Aloha and Shalom HW,
My Sister, you are in my prayers and in the prayers of this community. I too, am deeply saddened by the possibility of a suicide attempt. The pain which brings folks to this end is always deep, dark, and overwhelming. It is always so difficult in these types of situations, not to view our own actions as somehow complicit in the actions of the one who attempts to, or who actually takes their own life, not complicity in any direct way, but in our failure to disengage the dynamic that leads to the action. I would agree that some degree of self reflection is healthy; however, many times there is simply nothing which can be done.
HW, perhaps I am wrong and "hear" more in your words than what you are saying, but knowing care-takers, it is always difficult for us not to believe that we somehow should "have done something different." If you are anything like me, it is difficult not to feel some degree of failure. Yet, I have heard your words and have felt the presence of Christ in your heart and in your life. As Christ was for the Samaritan, the one who also knew overwhelming pain, my sister, you would be for your organist - if your organist would allow it.
The Samaritan in our text found wholeness, all were purified, but only he who returned found wholeness. As with the 9 lepers who did not return, Christ was unable to engage them in their lives in such a way which brought about wholeness, not because he chose not to, but because they failed to allow it. HW, sometimes (and forgive me if I sound patronizing because certainly that is not my intent and I know that you know all of this) even though it is our greatest desire, even when we avail ourselves as Christ avails himself, sometimes in the end, all we are left with is prayer. And in those instances, when we can do nothing more, God promises, prayer is enough.
As much as possible, we are with you in your struggles.
Shalom,
Nail-Bender in NC
The least of these. Maybe this is somewhere near the heart of the matter. Not only a leper‹way unclean to begin with‹but a Samaritan leper. The least of the worst. And how many of us feel like we're the least of the worst and deal with it by justifying ourselves? When we could be saying "Lord, have mercy on us," and having received that mercy live our lives in thanksgiving to God?
As much of a thought as my foggy brain can manage this morning. HW, prayers for both your organist and you. It's possible he or she doesn't want to see anyone right now. Shame might be an issue as well as despair. Your presence and prayers will be important in any event.
Jane in Lenox
HW, Prayers are sent and I will continue to offer "prayer flares" as per request. If the organist will not see you, perhaps consider praying outside the door, pull up a chair and give it a good hour each day. I believe your presence and perseverance along with God's Holy Spirit will soon open the door. Your prayer witness will speak to God who promises "knock and the door will be opened" and it will speak to everyone in the hospital. You are God's ambassador. And thank you for your kind prayers for all of us on Saturday! LS
I know stewardship has been brought up but I don't have time right now to see if it has been pursued so forgive me if this question has already been asked: Is it too much of a stretch to see the tithe in this passage? Tithing being nice, but why only 10% instead of 100%? -pHil
LS,
I think your idea for HW is a great one. What a witness to hospital staff and family that would be.
HW,
Thank you for your prayers over the weekend, it's time for DPS'rs to reciprocate and pray for you, our sister in need. Fellow DPS'rs?
Rick in VA
John (UK) -
I'm responding to your question as to why the lepers asked for mercy and not healing.
One tidbit comes from Charles Swindoll in his book, The Finishing Touch. He did some work on the word mercy, chesed, in Hebrew. He found 5 miseries that mercy brings relief to.
Misery of bitterness: When we're suffering the pain of unfair and unjust consequences.
Misery of anger: When we're enduring the grief of a death.
Misery of self-pity: When we're struggling with the limitations of a handicap.
Misery of hopelessness: When we are hurting physically.
Misery of guilt: When we are under a cloud of guilt after we have committed a transgression.
The second tidbit: Sparrow Records, I believe, has put out a CD of its top female Christian artists called Listen to Our Hearts. It has some both traditional and new songs by each of these gals plus a bit, both written and spoken, of a devotional thoughts from each of them.
Susan Ashton has made clear the difference between mercy and grace: Mercy is when we don't get what we deserved. Grace is when we get what we don't deserve.
Perhaps the lepers asking for mercy was a humble way of asking for relief, something they felt they didn't deserve.
As an intern pastor in ND (North Dakota for those of you who have forgotten about us), I have been struck by the number of people who won't come to communion here because they feel unworthy. Apparently, they've had enough fire-n-brimestone preachers here. This idea that communion is for sinners, "for you", is pretty radical. This kind of clarity between mercy (Christ dying for us) and grace (being made righteous) is helpful for these folks.
Blessings, Tigger in ND
Responding to Don in Ohio, Welcome aboard, brother! "Your faith has made you well," means more than just physical healing. The other nine received physical healing as well, but only the one who returned to give thanks received the Lord's benediction "Your faith has made you whole." Is gratitude a necessary requirement to true wholeness? Hmmm.
--Rod in Pixley
In response to "have mercy on us" They may have been asking for money or food - not necessarily expecting healing - although Jesus did heal a leper in Luke 5:12. Also, it does seem important that this scripture follows a command for us to do what is needed without being thanked. Our journey to wholeness must be to find a way to live gratefully and not resentfully. I struggle with this myself. - Margot
John (UK) the number 10 is very significant in Greek thinking assigned to the day of Jesus. There is a specific word "gamatria" which focuses on the use of number in scripture. The number 10 was a "sacred" or magical number which had to do with the sacredness of the pyramid. The pyramid, if perfect, had ten parts to it. You see the number 10 or multiples of it (7 and 3) often in scripture because of the Greek philosophy of the time. Is this of any help? Rev D
Buran in Florida!
Thanks for the outline! That's exactly how the spirit has led me to develop the message. My title is "Thanks but no thanks" Good to have you aboard. HW in Hawaii. I'm here, but you always sense when I have a need. I wonder what the Holy spirit is doing? Thanks again for caring.
Shalom
Pasthersyl
I'm going with a theme of "From Healing to Wholeness" -- sometimes we just want things from God. We don't seek a relationship, we just want our needs met. And God is merciful enough to grant us answers to our prayers. And Jesus was merciful enough to give healing to the ten when they asked. But the 10th leper, the Samaritan, returned to Jesus in gratitude -- and because of his gratitude began a journey toward wholeness. I agree with the one above who spoke about the "attitude of gratitude" from the 12 steps. It is a major KEY to a life of recovery and wholeness (not just getting sober, or getting "healed" from our problems). I'm not sure yet how I am going to frame this, but this will be my major thought. Lots of great comments already. I got a late start this week! Its great to see all the "newcomers" to the site. Welcome! RevKK
HW
I hadn't read your entry concerning your organist before I recently posted. God be with the organist and with you
Shalom
Pasthersyl
HW,
I add my prayers.
Over the weekend, two teenagers, one 12 year-old-boy, one 15 year-old girl, in our area committed suicide. Apparently they were unrelated. This evening I found out that one of our members was in the wedding of the parents of the 12 year old. While it is officially listed as a suicide, the cororner (sp?) called it "autoerotic suffocation." Apparently it is practiced, mostly by boys, as a means of sexual stimulation. Usually done in pairs, so one can cut the rope before the other actually suffocates. Didn't happen this time. I know this is not the usual subject of this site, but I've never heard of it (wish I never had) and would like information -- especially since I have a 13 year old son!
Rick in VA, yes, please send me the information on Bible Study, especially if it doesn't take any preparation time!!!
Thanks everyone. I give thanks daily for all of you.
RevJan grant@eosinc.com
HW in HI: don't consider your organist's refusal to see you a rejection of your ministry. It may be that he/she feels ashamed of what he/she may have tried to do. This may change with time. The tricky part is to know to what extent you can be persistent without alienating the person. Keep praying about it though, and certainly consult with colleagues. That's what we're here for. Craig in Maine
Now, I have had time to read through this week's comments and it looks like K in HB and I are the only ones having to come up with a stewardship sermon this week. So I'm concerned that I don't squeeze this passage too hard for one.
Both of Jesus's acts are related to the faith of the lepers but there is a difference between the faith in the first half of the story (on the part of the ten) and the faith in the second (on the part of the one).
All ten were made CLEAN by faith characterized by obedience. They followed Jesus command to show themselves to the priest according to religious law. But in the second part of the story, the Samaritan is made WHOLE by faith characterized by spontaneous praise and thanksgiving. In which dimension of faith are we giving as stewards? Obedience to religious law? Or, spontaneous spirit of praise and thanksgiving? Knowing that, as Molina suggests, we can never truly repay.
Giving out of obedience as stewards (servents) is only what is expected: no big deal, according to the previous week's passage, right?
Is being made clean a skin thing while being made whole a thing of the heart? Giving to pay the church bills vs. giving as an outburst of praise and thanksgiving?
I think this is a safe direction to go with the text. But I'm still kind of curious about whether there's also an offhand suggestion of the tithe in this story. 1 out of 10 comes back; Jesus rewards him, but asks, " what about the 90%?" Again, tithing could fall into the superficial, giving out of obedience only.
pHil
I meant to thank you, James in SD, for bringing in Molina's commentary. It strikes me that if our stewardship (as well as our life in general) is not characterized by spontaneous thanksgiving, a generosity springing from our realization that God has expressed a generosity toward us that we are utterly inable to repay, that we may fall into a stewardship that, taking God's generosity for granted, assumes we are giving to pay back. Accounts are getting settled. - pHil
Good friends,
Thank you for your prayers! As I contemplate the pain it takes to get to the edge of one's life, and want to jump over.... I heard you LS and drove tonight to see our organist - now transferred to a distant hospital -- but she did not want to see me. It may well be deep shame, as the police report said her face was slashed.... God knows what she needs; I will be there if it is me. There is just this part of my heart that is feeling both wooden and raw at the same time....
On a lighter note, I found (Charles L. Brown, Content the Newsletter Newsletter, June 1990, Page 3)this description of what happened to the other 9:
One waited to see if the cure was real. One waited to see if it would last. One said he would see Jesus later. One decided that he had never had leprosy. One said he would have gotten well anyway. One gave the glory to the priests. One said, "Oh, well, Jesus didn't really do anything." One said, "Any rabbi could have done it." One said, "I was already much improved."
I am thinking about a title something like, "What has He done for you lately?"
As for me, I know i would be in much worse shape without your prayers.. Deepest thanks.
HW in HI
In one of Yancy & Brand's books they describe lepers as being unable to feel pain (therefore can sleep right through having a foot burned off if it strays into the fire). Often a sign of wholeness is that we begin to feel pain again. And we discover it's something to be thankful for!
HW, did you catch KY John's great message to you over at 2 Timothy? I already posted it at Jeremiah, where they were wording over Bishop Spong, and I want to pass it along here, too. Thanks, KY John! (shared here by Anne in Providence) Dear Hw in HI, It's 3:18 p.m. e.d.t., on Wed., and it looks like you and I are the only ones preaching this pericope. The thing that stands out to me in this pericope and the title of my sermon, are the first words of this passage ... Remember Jesus Christ. This is a letter to a discouraged young minister. Paul is trying to build him and us (laity too) up and he tells Tim, "Look as bad as you think things are . . . Remember Jesus Christ. When you are suffering for the gospel's sake . . . Remember Jesus Christ. When wrangling over words are hurting people in the church by killing their spirit . . . Remember Jesus Christ. We suffer hardship . . . we endure everything, including church boards that don't act like Christians . . . why . . . because we remember Jesus Christ and we can't do anything else. John in Ky.
HW: I just found: sermon for a TEENAGE SUICIDE victim at http://www.angelfire.com/in/preachrcl/suicidesermon.html Perhaps it will be helpful. Be blessed. Anne in Providence
HW in HI,
I believe that KY John's words are a prophetic utterance specifically for you although all of us would benefit from it. As you suffer and anguish over the organist's cirumstance, remember Jesus Christ. As you struggle with what might have happened or what should have happened, remember Jesus Christ. As you endure, remember Him, He will not forget you or your organist. It's His promise.
Love ya in Christ,
Rick in Va
Dear H W, Much of the time I discover that I must pray for things that I do not understand. Although you may feel helplessly cut off by the refusal to allow your visit, you can provide a meaningful ministry even at a distance. Suicide is the ultimate unthankful act. That your organist cannot give thanks for her own life (if that is indeed the case) is heartbreaking. That you can continue to be greatful for the great blessing of musical talent, life, and purpose that have been given to this child of God is a blessing. I pray for you, and for your community, as you wrestle with all of the frustration of powerlessness, fear of what comes next, and pure grief that comes from a will for death in your midst. -SS in PA
A late posting. Our (Episcopal) lectionary uses the beginning of the Ruth narrative instead of Jeremiah for Sunday. I'm comparing the tenth leper and Ruth: foreigners who had the imagination to go beyond the literal ("go home to your people"/"go and show yourselves to the priests") and claim instead engagement/relationship with Naomi and with Jesus. I'm using as a focus my favorite blessing -- handed down to me from my mentoring priest who received it from her first bishop. I think it sums up the extravagent love of God which provides all and more than we ever need; and all we need do is accept it. A BLESSING: "O Lord our God, send us anywhere you would have us go, only go there with us. Place upon us any burden you desire, only stand by us to sustain us. Break any tie that binds us, except the tie that binds us to you. And may the blessing of God almighty be upon you this night and forevermore. Amen" [A Blessing Attributed to John Shelby Spong, via Susan in SanPedro]
Quick note... no response is necessary.
Bishop Spong has 'grown' such that this attributed blessing he would never give again since, by his own words in his call for reformation, there's no need to pray. Here they are: Theses number 10 in his Call for Reformation.
"Prayer cannot be a request made to a theistic deity to act in human history in a particular way. "
Rick in Va
08 OCT 98 Some great insights and musings. I'll be taking a slightly different tact--not the core of the text, admittedly. Or is it? As RevJan said, since Luke 9:51 Jesus has been "on his way to Jerusalem." Just look how often between chapter 8 and our text that Jesus is "on his way" (to Jerusalem) but does something crucial in the mean time. Jerusalem is sure important--Christ's passion--but apparently, so is the "on the way" stuff! Think I'll call my sermon "Miracles and ministry `on the way'" which includes God's merciful interventions in daily life, interventions on our behalf, and how, as the model of the godly life, we too must follow Jesus in being faithful disciples "on the way." That's where much of Luke's gospel takes place, and much of the ministry in our lives. Blessings to you as you go "on your way." Peter in CA
HW: Any possibility your organist is dealing with domestic violence? Shame and continued danger is a major sign, with behavior closely monitored, so it is impossible to tell even trusted pastors what's going on. Four women a day in this country are killed by husbands and boyfriends, and more who are identified as suicides. This is DV awareness month. If you want more on this, contact me at Grant275@aol.com. Blessings, Anne in Providence
Did anybody listen to "All Things Considered" on National Public Radio yesterday (Wed)? Sometime between 5 and 6:00 Central Time, they aired a story about the last hospital open that specializes in treating leprosy (now called "Hansen's Disease"). It's in Carville (sp??), Louisiana, and is closing soon to be made into a home for troubled youth.
They interviewed several patients, some of whom have lived there most of their lives--50, 60 years or more. The younger ones can't wait to leave, but most of the older ones don't know any other way of life. They are guaranteed to stay there 3 years after it closes, but then, they must find another place to live. How can a person who has known no other life other than institutionalized care (leprosy) learn another way of life?
Is this where Jesus comes in? (Possible problem--the other 9 went to the Temple to rejoin their old way of life?)
I don't know if it is possible to get a transcript of the program over the internet, but I think the address is www.npr.org
Hello LC!!!! LW in KS
Dear friends,
I agree that an attitude of gratitude is a major (the major?) theme here. Yet, I have many in my congregation who have not been "healed" in spite of their prayers for "mercy." I have one with an incredible nerve disorder that has confined her to a wheel chair and another with ALS. What is the point of the text for them and for their spouses and families? I had a good friend die of cancer at the age of 44. Text's like these are difficult ones for me.
pHil's comment that maybe "cleansing" is a "skin" thing while "wholeness" is a "heart" thing is helpful in this regard, somehow. Yet I still struggle with what to say to people like my two women above and other's like them.
Greg thanks for your idea about "Thank You" cards. I may not use it this week, but I might for Thanksgiving. I hope you won't mind.
Grace and Peace, Jerry in MN
Friends, Is it possible that the result of faith is thankfulness. Maybe the question we should ask is not only "what would Jesus do?" but, "how can I thank Jesus in what I do?" Maybe it's in this thanking that we are healed. Maybe it's only in this thanksgiving that we have any hope of healing others. Jim in Mi.
Dear friends,
Here are some more reflections on my struggle with this text. If it's possible that one can be "made clean" (v.14) but not end up being "well" (v.19), then, it seems, it is also possible to be made "well" even if one is not "made clean" (i.e. many who experience chronic illness and cancer, those who struggle with depression or suicide attempts and even death).
It seems that the Apostle Paul - not only in "remembering Jesus" while in chains for the sake of the gospel (a gospel which cannot be chained) in the 2nd Lesson (2 Tim. 2:9) - but also in 2nd Cor. 12 where he has pleaded with God to remove his "thorn in the flesh" only to have God say "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" and Paul being able then to say "I will boast all the more of my weakness so that Christ's strength may rest on me" - is a sign of this "wellness" even when there is the absence of "cleanness."
This "mercy" of God - to be with us in the midst of our weakest moments (i.e. John in Ky's comments) - it seems, leads Paul and us(?) to thankfulness, too.
I've known some who can and have been thankful in the midst of great adversity. I know I'd LIKE TO BE ABLE to do so myself if I were ever called upon to endure such an experience/illness. However, I have also known some who have grown bitter and angry instead. And I have known still others who have taken their "cleanness" for granted and somehow missed out on being truly "well" as a result. Why such varied responses? Does anyone have any clues? Is it "simply" sin at work? Is it a lack of humility?
I know, too, thankfulness is not a way we can manipulate God into giving still other things. Still lot's of questions - even in the midst of some growing clarity. Jerry in MN
To Jerry in MN - I wrestle with the same issues you do. Why are only some healed? And why are some of those who are healed so ungrateful. The two women in your congregation who are suffering so badly probably can appreciate the one who came back to thank Jesus. There are many types of healing as well. Once I was asked to visit an elderly woman who was near death. She was a crochety thing and had no time for church or God or much of anybody. When I was preparing to leave, I asked her if I could say a prayer for her. To my surprise, she said yes. As I prayed, I felt the spirit prompt me to pray for healing for her. She was so old and sick, I felt a little foolish, but went ahead & prayed for healing anyway. No, she didn't jump up out of bed. In fact, that night, she tried to die and almost succeeded. As another pastor prayed over her the next morning, she sat up & opened her eyes. Her whole attitude was different. During the next 10 days, she worked hard at mending the shattered relationships she had with her husband and adult children. It was healing for the whole family. D's attitude was truly one of thanksgiving and love for God. Two days before she died, she told me that she was at peace and was ready to go. It was truly amazing to witness the power of God's healing love. Now prayers for healing are a regular part of my prayers for others. God heals in so many ways - mental, emotional, spiritual, relational - as well as physical. And then sometimes, God doesn't heal the way we hope.
Ooops. I accidently hit the submit button to soon. I was responding to Jerry in MN. Sometimes God doesn't heal in the way that we ask - like with your two parishoners (and a few of mine too). Recently a 43 year old member of my congregation died of a sudden heart attack - leaving a wife & two little girls. Lots of anger in that family. Bitter grieving by family, friends, & parishoners (and myself) But who better to take the anger and the questions to than God. The Psalmist surely did. God is with us - in anger and in grief as well as in joy. They are all part of the healing process - as is an attitude of gratefulness for God's blessings - and sometimes unexpected things turn out to be blessings. But I think the thing that is most instrumental in healing is an attitude of surrender to God. The one who returned had that. Lord, to whom can we go? Janet in NJ
Roughly 6 or 7 years ago, I watched my then 32 year old cousin die of brain cancer. He too was named Rick. The family distinguished us by calling him Big Rick and me Little Rick, even though as we grew older, it became obvious that the monikers did not fit us. As Big Rick suffered with the disease, I was just coming to know Jesus. I prayed for his healing. I visited hime regularly. I watched him shrink before my very eyes. At one time, Big Rick was a weight lifter and was built like a rock. When he passed he weighed much less than 100 pounds.
He was not healed of his cancer. It killed him (and two years later, his mother died as she surrendered the will to live). But Rick, I believe, received the ultimate healing. He surrendered to Christ before his time was up. I was angry at God for not healing him. Very angry. I still do not understand why he had to go in the manner that he did. But I'm trusting that he is where there is no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears. He is with Jesus.
Dueteronomy 29:29 speaks of the secret things of God belonging to Him but things revealed belonging to us. I've decided, as an act of my will, not to dwell on those tragic circumstances that are beyond my grasp of understanding. His ways are not my ways. His plans are not my plans. Yet He has revealed Himself to me in a way that allows me to yet trust Him. And I believe, at least in part, that this was a byproduct of my surrendering my will to His. I do that imperfectly and so still occasionally (frequently) struggle. But I've made a commitment to trust Him, even when it makes no earthly sense to do so.
Janet in NJ, your words sum it up for me. Our attitude of surrender to God is an instrument in healing, maybe healing as I understand healing, definitely healing as God by His Son and through His Holy Spirit defines it.
Rick in Va
Dr. John Westerhoff reminded us over and over again in his Christian Spirituality classes, "sometimes Jesus offered physical healing, but always Jesus offered wholeness and reconciliation." Fred Craddock shares in his commentary on Luke that the verb translated "made well" (RSV) is the same word often translated "to be saved." (as in the Zacchaeus story 19:9-10)
Thanks to all of you for your many Spirit led insights. We too are celebrating the season of stewardship and I hope to focus on "the better part" that the Samaritan received because he stopped to recognize and give thanks for the blessing received.
Several summers ago, our Appalachia Service Project Youth Mission Team met a special lady in the hills of Tennessee. She and her family had very little. If fact, it would have been far easier to tear down and build a new house than to repair this cabin that had been built by a mountain preacher some seventy years earlier. But Betty and her family were very proud home owners. They had saved for years to pay the $2500.00 needed for their home and the little piece of land that went with it.
We spent our week pulling up the floor in a back room, digging out an 18" crawl space, pouring new footings, and finally installing new floor joists. The joy of the week was getting to know Betty and her family. Her deep a faith overflowed, even in the midst of her material poverty.
We came to a stopping point shortly after lunch on Friday afternoon and so had the pleasure of sharing a few hours with Betty and her family on their front porch. Our youth were caught on Betty's every word as she shared stories of the mountains. and family. I was overwhelmed by the sense of peace and joy that surrounded Betty. Finally one of our youth asked Betty what she wanted more than anything else. Her reply was simply, "If we could just get running water, I wouldn't ever ask the Lord for anything else."
As we left that day, my prayer was that our youth would not only be thankful for the affluence that they enjoyed at home, but that they would recognize the possibility of peace, joy, and happiness, even without all the material stuff.
Well, they had experienced and learned much more than I had hoped for. One of our youth just shook his head as Betty's house faded behind the curve in the road and said, "Man, that lady really has something that my family needs!"
Peace!
Rich in NC
I am more and more convinced that this passage lays out the contrast between living in obedience and living in freedom -
Initally the 9 lepers acted out of obedience - the Samaritan later lived out the real gratitude that emerges out of the freedom of discipleship.
It is one thing to be healed - quite another to be made whole.
When I pray with a person facing surgery or serious illness, I pray for the physical healing that is possible - and I pray further for the WHOLENESS that is internal as well as external.
God bless you all in your exciting challenge of offering wholeness to a society that is constantly looking at ways to be healed, but not always at the way to be made whole.
bob from Indiana
First time contributor. Walter Wink raises the subtle issue in this text regarding the whole issue of the sacred and the profane. While the central focus of this as a healing story cannot be denied, and thanksgiving is the contextual focus of this pericope, I see one of the subtle messages here shown in Jesus' lack of fear of contamination. He is not resistant to touch, but as Wink suggests, neither is he afraid of 'catching' contamination. Intellectually, this idea reminds me of Emil Durkheim's insistence that Good and Evil is a force that transverses the categories of sacredness and profanity. The commonalities of life can be used for Good, just as the sacred, or holy, can be used for evil. Jesus apparently understands with the Pharisees and the Essenes do not, that Holiness is a construct of God and not of man. This small t truth is evidence in the failure of 9 lepers to give thanks. Could it be they do not recognize the power of God in their restoration into the 'sacred' community, and out of the 'profane'? How does our own efforts at maintaining a holy isolation betray the gospel? Are there lepers in our society who we fear will contaminate us?
Jon in PA
I was locking up the church building one evening, ready to get in my car and go home after a long day, when an unfamiliar vehicle came crunching up the gravel driveway. A woman I did not know got out and asked if I was the pastor. I was prepared to listen to a plea for money, but she surprised me by saying that something especially wonderful had just happened to her and she wanted to thank God. She asked if she could go inside the church to do so. Still a bit wary, I unlocked the door and followed her into the building. She entered the sanctuary, slipped into a pew, and bowed her head in prayer. After about ten minutes, she got up, thanked me, and went on her way. This incident has stuck with me over the years, and it comes to mind again as we consider this text. It seems the offhand "thanks," or even worse the "he knows how appreciative I am" do not suffice. That's why our little rituals of thanksgiving (going to the church, writing a card, buying a gift) lend weight to our sentiments. To go out of one's way to give thanks is to make that thanks real in a sense that it might not be otherwise. Perhaps that's what the Samaritan is telling us. I particularly like the illustration about Satan's seeds of discouragement and how gratitude is proof against them taking root in our lives. It's also appropriate to express gratitude for this supportive cyber-community. Blessings on Betsy and HW as you struggle with the pain and grief your ministries have brought you this week.
Bill in SoMD
I was really stuck on this lesson/sermon, until I read Wiliam J. Bausch's Telling Stories, compelling Stories (although I don't use his sermons, I do use his ideas). He talks about Naaman (from the alternate lesson for us Lutherans:2Kings 5:1-3;7-l5c) and says "This guy had to get down from his high horse and ask for mercy." (I thought it worthy of C. B. deMille...) If you don't know Bill Bausch's stuff, it's worth looking at, he often has an interesting and very "gospel centered" take on the lessons. Gets me unstuck. I have found that I check DPS almost everyday, as much for the fellowship as for the sermon ideas. Thanks guys (that's generic, I hope). shalom gail in berkeley
Jerry in MN,
This is not so much to help you with the sermon, but to help you explore healing and non-healing in God's will. There is a wonderful book called "The Cup and the Waterfall: the Adventure of Living in the Present Moment." It is written by John Killinger. His book is basically about the many ways God comes into our lives. He does it by exploring the many facets of prayer. The chapter I'm thinking about is called, "Prayer, Death and Healing." The chapter is too long to put here, but I would like to offer this:
"There are miracles of healing through prayer. But the power to heal is God's, not ours, and sometimes our prayers for healing are not answered. That is what confuses us. ... The point is, of course, that God is sovereign -- not a bellhop. God IS -- what a statement! We should fall down and worship at the very thought of it. Sufficiently aware of his presence, we would not care whether we lived or died. The presence alone is enough. But, insufficiently aware of this , we expect God to exist in our behalf, to do what we want him to do. And, when we pray, we expect to be answered. What we fail to understand is that prayer is not just asking God for things; it is submitting ourselves to him for his will to be done in our lives. it is yielding ourselves as channels for his power. And when we have done that, we know that prayer has been effective even if our requests are denied. God did not save Christ from teh cross. Sometimes in our selfishness we forget that."
Later on, he wrote about a laywoman who went to a healing service and he said this: "The important thing was the feeling of love you received, the sense that people truly care about you and whether your life is whole. They do not promise that prayer will make you well. That is not their complete goal. What they ask for is that you be whole, that you be healed from the inside out. They fell that even if you die you should die whole."
He went on to write, "Death is no enemy when we are whole, when we feel that we are a part of the whole, when we are one with Christ in God. The reason illness and death have become such terrors in our culture is that we have become so fragmented and isolated in the culture. We live cut off from one another. We are not whole."
This may not be much, but I hope it will give you a step toward finding the message for you and your congregation. God is with you.
Brandon in CA
Dear friends,
Thanks for your responses not only to my questions and concerns and struggles but also to those of others, too. I appreciate the input.
Grace and Peace, Jerry in MN
Anybody doing anything with the lepers keeping their distance from Jesus, even as they were asking him for help? Yes, it was the law of the day that they had to keep their distance from everyone. But don't we, today, keep our distance from Jesus, even as we ask for his help? If we came to Jesus, instead of just coming to church, without keeping our distance, thankfulness would automatically flow from that closeness. I agree with LC in KS that this is not so much about thankfulness as being together in our wholeness, as much as we are united in our broken-ness. LW
Hi, all! LC in KS--Great insight! I appreciate that and it helps my sermon along. Pastor Nancy, remember we new pastors are not all alone...Betsy, you and the bereaved family are in my prayers. I am so grateful to all of you for the comments and community! Janet, new pastor in central NY
Folks, thank you so much for your concern and prayers this week. After the last week, when my family hardly saw me, I've spent most of my time either following up after last week's funeral or connecting with my family again..so I'm getting a late start this week too! Your many insights are helpful. Great to hear from the first time contributors! And great to hear you again Greg--I've missed your voice. (I'm originally from Memphis, so you reminded me of home) Teen suicides, an organist's apparent suicide attempt...there are so many heavy hearts in our pews and at our keyboards. When I preached last Sunday, I was acutely aware of how many people were sitting there with partially healed wounds and losses that were ripped open again by this boy's death. It struck me this week as I followed up on those I knew were re-living their own experiences of loss of children that, while suffering is not redemptive by itself, how even this deep grief can become a source of healing and compassion that builds community. Interesting that as long as the lepers were afflicted, they had a common bond, even if it was the solidarity of the excluded and oppressed. What are we to do with our healing? I appreciated the input from Malina's work mentioned earlier here. The Lutherans have 2 Kings and the healing of Naamaan as a first lesson. Naamaan responds by worshipping--not Elijah--but the God of Israel. His healing presents a new set of possiiblities and difficulties for a military captain. What is he to do when he must accompany his liege to worship the old pagan god? He is a military captain in another army who now owes allegiance to the God of Israel. He is compromised. The Samaritan now owes allegiance and thanks to Jesus, a Galilean and a Jew. Like Naamaan, an outsider, he is brought inside. Grief and afflictions often make people feel like outsiders looking in, separate, alone. I think that's why community and reversals are so often the mark of healing in Luke. Those who are healed are restored to a new community, while at the same time their healing puts them at odds with the status quo, the established community and its rules. Again, thanks to you all for your kind words and encouragement. While I am emotionally pretty wrung out, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to do ministry, to speak the Gospel, and even in these early stages in the midst of so much grief, to be a midwife to the healing power of the Resurrection. The schools are talking to the pastors now about how we can help our kids with all this grief (3 kids in 15 months, and the 7th graders lost a classmate two years ago who burned to death in a fire) HW, you will be in my prayers as you continue to care for your organist, or attempt such care. Since she is not yet able to talk to you, no one knows what despair brought her to this point. Those who love persons who have attempted or succeeded in committing suicide also suffer--the doubt of wondering if you could have known, what you could have done, why you are shut out. Be merciful to yourself too HW, as we continue to pray for you and that a door to healing may be opened for this woman. Thanks all. This desperate preacher is also a grateful preacher. Betsy in OH
Bill in SoMD,
Wow, that was quite an experience. I read the story thinking about how often I've heard that gravel crunching and felt like I needed to go for the vouchers! I've had a couple of strangers come in to "witness" to me, but never something as quietly profound as the woman that borrowed your building! Thanks for sharing it. I'm going to use that one Sunday.
I know someone who is often frustrated by the sayings like, "if it just helps one, then it's all worth the effort." She thinks that sets people's expectations too low and that we need to help as many people as possible. For some reason, though, when I read your story, I thought, "Wow, that would make the whole day worthwhile." And you didn't even do anything to deserve it. (Pardon me for assuming that!)
Imagine how Jesus must have felt when one of the ten that he healed came back. But he pointed out the nine that didn't return. Why does the one who returned seemed more optimistic than Jesus to me?
Just thinking out loud again.
Mark in Ark.
Being a baby boomer, I have a hard time with gratitude. I mean, I didn't live thru a war or a depression or anything. In terms of preaching, it seems like such a static concept: Be grateful, you louts! I started leaning toward Jeremiah. There are some good comments on the Jeremiah site. Everyone is in exile in some form or another. Jeremiah's advice: Bloom where you are planted. You may not like your job, your church, your town, your school, or even your self--but bloom where you are planted. But then i started thinking about the lepers again.Leprosy must have been an awful thing. A disease strikes your body. You are cut off from society, an exile. Your body does strange things, you are in exile from your own body. What do you do? What do you do if you find yourself in need of healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual? Get help, go to the doc (Jesus and the priests). Be thankful for every day that you have. Get connected to your spiritual roots whatever they might be, whether Jewish, Samaritan, or Christian."Your faith has made you whole". Larry, cny
I heard this story on the radio a few years ago. A true story: A pastor attended a worship service and many lepers were present. One by one, the lepers stood up and gave God the glory. Finally a beautiful woman stood up --the pastor said she was the most beautiful woman he ever saw -- but not by Hollywood's standards. She held up both her hands to God and all 10 fingers were gone and she said, " Thank God I have leprocy, because I know Jesus. I'd rather be a leper and know Jesus than be healthy and be a stranger to the Lord." It's Saturday and I'm still praying God's guidance. Many times this week I have thought about Joni Ericson Tada. What a witness from one who is whole, even without arms and legs. May God speak through us. Come, Holy Spirit, Come.... LS
Grace and peace especially to Betsey and HW. I went to Eucharist midweek at my former seminary, and the preacher talked about the most difficult pastoral care issues he had: suicides or attempts at suicides and dealing with the partners, families, survivors. So to Betsey and HW, know you, and the families are in my prayers. We form a strange and wonderful community; I now check DPS first thing in the morning...still struggling with the grace and mercy and healing of God in tomorrow's lessons. Gotta go, have confirmation class this am. shalom
I've enjoyed the contributions. Leprosy is not contagious but it is a disease...much like sin. It is a disease that de-sensitizes. In the case of the ten lepers it also ostracizes. Maybe there was one very vocal leper and the others thought "WHy not cry? It can't hurt to try!" Many of us came to Christ with a lot of baggage we wanted to be saved but did we really want to be made whole? Sometimes our 'disease' becomes out life and we are more comfortable in that state than to be healed and by that very fact, forced to live'in newness of life'
I have enjoyed reading all the wonderful, inciteful thoughts. One thing that has bothered me in the church I am serving is the "sanitized" mission work we do. We send our money to someone else to use as they minister one on one with the lost. As I look at this week's lesson I find myself thinking that there are still lepers out there. They may not have leporsy, but they are sick and are calling out to Jesus, "HAve mercy on us." How is Jesus to reach them? How is He to show mercy on them? While I will preach about gratitude and the wholeness versus healing ideas, I will also use this as an opportunity to remind us that we are the only Jesus someone may see today. We need to take our faith out of the church and put it to work. we must be available to those who have little to live for and no one else helping them. Again thanks for all the great ideas. Jerry
first of all... as a first time contributor, and a person in my 38th year since ordination.. I want to GIVE THANKS to God for the genuine and warm care i see in operation on this site. I imagine it is very supportive for those of us who are struggling with so much... younger and older. I want to THANK GOD for the questions, the isights, responses... the teriffic new ideas , reworked, personal illustrations.... For the person who wrote as and asked about autoerotic experiences which are a threat to young mne. It happens enough to be concerned... and is part of the locker room talk that some go and try it and die.... As a Clinical Social worker/pastor let me say it involves hanging by the neck in a rope while you masturbate.... it is a well known tradition and practice in kinky sex. a number of young men die in many communities, but you'll never se e it in the paper. For more clinical information contact me. For newcomers, don't let your timidity keep you sitting on the sidelines of this forum... jump in. My sermon will; be different tomorrow because i spent some time with you tonight. love the idea of the thank you cards.... don't beat people up for not being grateful enough.... often leads to guilt without transforming action. in Central NY.... Don Hoff in Elmira NY donaldhoff@aol.com
first of all... as a first time contributor, and a person in my 38th year since ordination.. I want to GIVE THANKS to God for the genuine and warm care i see in operation on this site. I imagine it is very supportive for those of us who are struggling with so much... younger and older. I want to THANK GOD for the questions, the isights, responses... the teriffic new ideas , reworked, personal illustrations.... For the person who wrote as and asked about autoerotic experiences which are a threat to young mne. It happens enough to be concerned... and is part of the locker room talk that some go and try it and die.... As a Clinical Social worker/pastor let me say it involves hanging by the neck in a rope while you masturbate.... it is a well known tradition and practice in kinky sex. a number of young men die in many communities, but you'll never se e it in the paper. For more clinical information contact me. For newcomers, don't let your timidity keep you sitting on the sidelines of this forum... jump in. My sermon will; be different tomorrow because i spent some time with you tonight. love the idea of the thank you cards.... don't beat people up for not being grateful enough.... often leads to guilt without transforming action. in Central NY.... Don Hoff in Elmira NY donaldhoff@aol.com
We may remember that the Samaritan was the one that the people would never believe that God would heal. They were the outcasts, Isn't it strange how illness, oppression, and other maladies bring make bedfellows of us all. No jew would have been seen in the presense of a Samaritan, Yet in their Leprosy they are united in a common bound, In their healing they too are united in a common Christ. The one who returned to give thanks was the one who least expected to be healed. After all he was the outcast. Who are the outcasts in our congregations today? I will try to focus on The God of All.As an added thought KJV uses "Made you whole" instead of "made you well" it is quit different to be made whole rather then well.
Date: 15 Nov 1999
Time: 15:23:31
Jesus uses the outward condition of Leprosy to describe the internal condition within all of us called sin. Jesus cures this condition with a miricle,on the cross, --and how do we respond?
Everyone needs to learn to say thankyou. The Lepars, even my daughter who is three, must be taught to say thankyou.
Jesus does micicles among us every day....
RevRon
Date: 16 Nov 1999
Time: 02:49:25
I am using this text for the Nov 21 Sunday as we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday.
I am always troubled by the lesson of the healing of the 10 lepers and why 9 did not return for thanks to Jesus. Doug Adams at our Pastor's Assembly a number of years ago asked us to imagine what excuses we could offer for these 9 folks. The winning excuse was that 1 leper came back seeking Jesus when he noticed Peter warming his hands over a fire. He asked Peter if he knew where Jesus was? Peter answered "I do not know this man Jesus."
AW-G Rocky Coast Me
Date: 17 Nov 1999
Time: 02:19:04
My post did not go through!
I am using this text for Sunday Nov 21 in preparation for Thanksgiving.
Doug Adams once asked the clergy at a Pastor's Assembly what might be the possible reasons for the 9 not to have returned and given thanks to Jesus. The wining answer was: "Well I went looking for Jesus to thank him but could not find him so I saw Peter and i asked him where Jesus was and he said "I do not know this man Jesus."
Date: 18 Nov 1999
Time: 02:04:51
Jesus uses the outward condition of Leprosy to describe the internal condition within all of us called sin. Jesus cures this condition with a miricle,on the cross, --and how do we respond?
Everyone needs to learn to say thankyou. The Lepars, even my daughter who is three, must be taught to say thankyou.
Jesus does micicles among us every day....
RevRon