Luke 17:11-19

Wisdom 6:1-11

Psalm 82:3-4, 6-7

Luke 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,

he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.

As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.

They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying,

“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”

And when he saw them, he said,

“Go show yourselves to the priests.”

As they were going they were cleansed.

And one of them, realizing he had been healed,

returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;

and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.

He was a Samaritan.

Jesus said in reply,

“Ten were cleansed, were they not?

Where are the other nine?

Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”

Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;

your faith has saved you.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I thank you today for your abundant mercy. I have been healed through your grace. I have returned to your house, and I will continue to glorify you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I joyfully sing of your mercies today and give you thanks and praise.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Exodus Journey: Jesus is on his final journey to Jerusalem. Today, we begin reading the third section of this journey (Luke 17:11-18:30). The section focuses on Jesus preparing his disciples for life in the Kingdom of God. The scene opens with a geographical reference to how Galilean pilgrims often traveled to Jerusalem. They would walk along the border between Galilee and Samaria and into the Decapolis. They would cross the Jordan River near Salim and cross once again near Jericho. Crossing the river gave the pilgrim an Exodus-like dimension. Just as the ancient Israelites crossed the Red Sea and the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, so too the people in Jesus’ day crossed the river into the land of Judea as they made their way to the city of Jerusalem. We also pass through the waters of Baptism and enter into the Kingdom of God and the New Jerusalem. Like the Samaritan leper, we are cleansed by Jesus. Our attitude in the Kingdom, which we enter into by faith, needs to be one of perpetual gratitude. Entry into the Kingdom is not based on ethnicity, but is universally open to all who approach Jesus with faith.

2. Hear, O Kings: In the First Reading, the Wisdom of Solomon concludes its reflection on life and death and exhorts kings and judges to seek wisdom. Those who wield power and authority in this passing world can be tempted to misuse it for their own benefit. True authority comes from God, and those who exercise authority will be judged by God: He will probe their works and scrutinize their counsels (Wisdom 6:3). This is echoed by Jesus, who teaches that “those to whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). The Lord shows no partiality. The lowly may be pardoned out of mercy, but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test (see Wisdom 6:6). Solomon invites such kings, judges, and princes to learn wisdom from his words.

3. Desire for Wisdom Leads to a Kingdom: Although we do not read Wisdom 6:12-21 in today’s Liturgy, it is a good complement to the Gospel and the First Reading. It declares to the kings and judges that the desire for divine wisdom will lead to a kingdom. Those who seek wisdom make good rulers. God originally granted dominion over creation to Adam and Eve. They foolishly chose to sin. In the centuries that followed, there were promises of a kingdom made to Abraham and a realization of that kingdom under David. The prophets promised a new and restored kingdom. Their promises would find fulfillment in Jesus, who promised “twelve thrones” to his disciples. “St. Paul teaches that believers will ‘reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ’ (Rom 5:17) and that they ‘sit with him in the heavenly places’ (Eph 2:6). Revelation promises that the redeemed will be ‘a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on earth’ (Rev 5:10). The Bible thus consistently depicts salvation in terms of participating in God’s righteous rule. The Wisdom of Solomon does not encourage the powerless to seek to dominate others, but to humble themselves to seek wisdom and so come to share in God’s reign” (Giszczak, Wisdom of Solomon, 78).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you have washed me clean by having me share in your death and resurrection. I want to live the new life you have given me to the full. I want my faith in you to flourish in works of love, charity, and mercy.

Living the Word of God: How am I living the royal dimension of my Christian vocation? What has God entrusted to my care? And how am I seeking divine wisdom to rule and judge wisely?