Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Tuesday, March 12, 2013 Read - Luke 17:11-19 Only Luke tells the story of the grateful Samarian leper. And this story fits the context we have been dealing with. It serves at least two purposes for Luke. First of all we are confronted again with a Samaritan as the hero of the story. We need to recall the parable of the Good Samaritan. Luke does not tire reminding his readers of the amazing wideness of God’s mercy. And this story supports his concern for the poor and outcasts – the contrast with the rich man in the previous parable is stark. Lepers, as we have noticed before were forced outside the confines of society. Here they are welcomed back into society – and even Samaritan lepers are welcome. Secondly, this story once again emphasizes Luke’s concern that Jesus abides by the rules of Israel. The cleansed lepers are sent to the priest to fulfill what is required by the law. This is a consistent theme Luke shares with other gospel writers – Jesus is not lawbreaker! Jesus is a faithful Jew! While Luke shares that concern with others it is one of his main points and he emphasizes it more than any other gospel writer. The story is also great because it lifts up the joy of thanksgiving. Readers of Luke’s gospel have noticed that all ten lepers are healed – and that healing is not taken away from any of them. In fact one could argue that the nine were only doing what Jesus commanded them to do – they are going to show themselves to the priests to fulfill the law. In a rather strange way the Samaritan disobeys. He turns back to thank and worship Jesus the source of his healing. And he is blessed. We are reminded of something Jesus said in Matthew’s gospel – God loves mercy more than justice. The Samaritan is an example of great thanksgiving that we are called to follow.