Luke 17:12-19
What can adversity teach us about the healing power of love and mercy? Proverbs states: A friend always loves, and a brother is born for adversity (Prov. 17:17). When adversity strikes you find out who truly is your brother, sister, and friend. The gospel records an unusual encounter between people who had been divided for centuries. The Jews and Samaritans had no dealings with one another. And they were openly hostile whenever their paths crossed. In this gospel narrative, we see one rare exception — a Samaritan leper in company with nine Jewish lepers. Sometimes adversity forces us to drop our barriers or forget our prejudices. When this band of lepers saw Jesus, they made a bold request. They didn’t ask for healing but instead asked for mercy.
The word mercy literally means “sorrowful at heart”. But mercy is something more than compassion or heartfelt sorrow at another’s misfortune. Compassion empathizes with the sufferer. But mercy goes further; it removes suffering. A merciful person shares in another’s misfortune and suffering as if it were his own. And he will do everything in his power to dispel that misery. So, what is the significance of these ten lepers asking for mercy? They know they need healing, not just physical but spiritual healing as well. They approach Jesus with contrition and faith because they believe he can release the burden of guilt and suffering and restore body and soul. Their request for mercy is both a plea for pardon and release from suffering. Jesus gives mercy to all who ask with faith and contrition.
Why did only one leper out of ten — a Samaritan — return to show gratitude? Gratefulness is related to grace — which means the release of loveliness. Gratitude is the heart’s homage, which response with graciousness in expressing an act of thanksgiving. The Samaritan approached Jesus reverently and gave praise to God.
We will be ungrateful if we do not recognize and appreciate the mercy shown to us. Ingratitude is forgetfulness or a poor return for kindness received. Ingratitude quickly leads to a lack of charity and intolerance toward others. It quickly leads to a lack of charity, intolerance towards others, and other sins, such as discontent, dissatisfaction, complaining, grumbling, pride, and presumption. How often have we been ungrateful to our parents, pastors, teachers, and neighbors? Do you express gratitude to God for his mercy, and do you show mercy to your neighbor?
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