Wisdom 6:1-11 / Luke 17:11-19
Illnesses and diseases are the realities of human life.
They do not respect personages or titles or status.
We do not deny that some of the illnesses or diseases are of our own doing.
Unhealthy lifestyles like excessive eating and unhealthy habits can contribute to the rise of illness and diseases.
In the biblical times, illness and disease were thought of as punishments from God, and there are also traces of such thinking in our modern times.
When the ten lepers approached Jesus, they saw Him as someone sent by God and that He can heal their leprosy.
When Jesus saw them and heard their pleas, He told them to go and show themselves to the priests.
So if those ten lepers had the thinking that the leprosy is a punishment from God, then Jesus is also telling them that God has forgiven them and God will heal their disease.
And indeed as they went on their way, they were cleansed of their leprosy.
But only one, the foreigner, a Samaritan, came back to Jesus to give thanks.
And even Jesus wondered why only one came back to give thanks.
That reminds us that when we are afflicted with illness and disease, we turn desperately to God for help and healing.
But with a thankful and grateful heart, we will also know how much God loves us and cares for us.
May our faith in God lead us to always give thanks to God, for in thanking God, we will also be filled with the saving love of God.