He fell at the feet of Jesus
Published Nov 10, 2021 12:02 am
REFLECTIONS TODAY
The purity laws of Leviticus 11-15 deal with boundaries. Anything that crosses the “body boundary” or opening renders a person unclean—like scaly, eruptive condition of the skin commonly referred to as “leprosy.” The Law excluded lepers from the community; they were to remain outside the societal, geographical, and religious boundaries (Lv 13:46).
The Samaritans were also outside the religious boundary of the Jews; they were considered “unclean” because they were seen as not possessing pure religion and blood. The Jews had nothing in common with the Samaritans (Jn 4:9), but in the case of the ten lepers in the Gospel, leprosy which drove them out of the “holy” community bound them together.
Jesus constantly challenges existing boundaries and pushes them outward. He welcomed sinners, the blind, and tax collectors in his “holy community.” He lets himself be touched by the impure like the woman with the flow of blood, and he heals lepers. He shows himself as a powerful intermediary or broker of God. Nine of those healed proceed to Jerusalem to “praise” God in the presence of the temple priests who will declare them cleansed and permit them to rejoin society. Only one—a Samaritan—comes back “to praise God” not in the Temple where he is not allowed, but in Jesus, the true dwelling place of God, and one who truly saves.
The purity laws of Leviticus 11-15 deal with boundaries. Anything that crosses the “body boundary” or opening renders a person unclean—like scaly, eruptive condition of the skin commonly referred to as “leprosy.” The Law excluded lepers from the community; they were to remain outside the societal, geographical, and religious boundaries (Lv 13:46).
The Samaritans were also outside the religious boundary of the Jews; they were considered “unclean” because they were seen as not possessing pure religion and blood. The Jews had nothing in common with the Samaritans (Jn 4:9), but in the case of the ten lepers in the Gospel, leprosy which drove them out of the “holy” community bound them together.
Jesus constantly challenges existing boundaries and pushes them outward. He welcomed sinners, the blind, and tax collectors in his “holy community.” He lets himself be touched by the impure like the woman with the flow of blood, and he heals lepers. He shows himself as a powerful intermediary or broker of God. Nine of those healed proceed to Jerusalem to “praise” God in the presence of the temple priests who will declare them cleansed and permit them to rejoin society. Only one—a Samaritan—comes back “to praise God” not in the Temple where he is not allowed, but in Jesus, the true dwelling place of God, and one who truly saves.
GOSPEL • LUKE 17:11-19
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.