Titus 3:1-7 / Luke 17:11-19
Most of us are generally healthy, though we have to bear with some aches and pains.
We know that health is wealth, and so we try to keep ourselves healthy by watching what we eat, keeping fit with exercise and doing what is good for us.
But still, that is no guarantee as illnesses and diseases may afflict us, and may come as a surprise.
For the ten lepers in today’s gospel, they were afflicted with leprosy, which was a dreaded disease.
They came before Jesus and begged Him for a cure.
All ten were cured, but only one came back to thank Jesus.
Nine of them received restoration of their bodies, but one of them experienced salvation.
Nine of them happily hurried back to their lives, but only of them gave thanks because he knew he didn’t merit or deserve the cure.
The first reading reminds us that when the kindness and love of God our Saviour for mankind were revealed, it was not because He was concerned with any righteous actions we might have done ourselves; it was for no reason except His own compassion that He saved us in Jesus Christ.
We may try to keep healthy but when illness or disease afflicts us, let us turn to Jesus our Saviour.
We can’t demand for a cure, but we must trust in His mercy and compassion.
So that even in our pain and salvation, we will give thanks and receive His saving love.