Wednesday 13 November 2024

Today is Wednesday 13 November, the feast of Saint Stanislaus Kostka SJ, in the 32nd week of Ordinary Time. Eliza King sings, ‘A Thousand Different Ways’. Nothing is unseen For You have walked the worst of it with me At times I almost didn't make it through Jesus if it hadn't been for You Still only You and I know all the places You've met me in Your mercy, in Your kindness You've saved my life a thousand times In a thousand different ways And I've never been the same Nothing is a waste For every pain and every broken place Has led me to the safety of Your hands Where I find the wounds that make me whole again Still only You and I know all the places You've pulled me from the grip of death and darkness Lord I know, You've saved my life a thousand times In a thousand different ways And I've never been the same Forever I am marked by the hands of a healer He has it written across my face Still greater's been the work of Your Holy Spirt By Your mercy I am born again By Your mercy I am born again Still only You and I know all the places You've pulled me from the grip of death and darkness Only You and I know all of the places You've met me in Your mercy, in Your kindness Lord I know, You've saved my life a thousand times In a thousand different ways And I've never been the same I never knew that I could be this free Till Jesus started healing me Didn't know I could feel so alive Till Jesus came and washed me white Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 17:11-19 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’ Try and imagine this scene. You might like to think of it as a clip from a film. Notice the weather, the temperature, the light, the sounds of the voices, the clothes, the colours, the lepers’ sores, the facial expressions. Watch from two camera perspectives: from where the ten people with leprosy are standing; and then from where Jesus is standing. Notice the space in between, the distance between them. Place yourself in the scene. Watch as the healings occur. The realisation on each one’s face. Take your time to absorb what is happening. Observe as those healed leave the scene. Watch, and listen carefully, as the Samaritan turns back to Jesus; as he lies at Jesus’ feet and thanks him; as he loudly praises God. Notice your response to this whole scene. Allow a conversation to develop with Jesus himself. For what are you grateful, right now? What role does gratitude play in your day-to-day life? If you were to increase your gratitude, what might happen? Speak with God about whatever is on your heart, whatever is on your mind. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.