Hastings: A curious story of gratitude
“Was there no one to return and give thanks except this foreigner?” — Luke 17:18 The Inclusive Bible
As Jesus walked along the borders of Samaria and Galilee on the way to Jerusalem, 10 people with leprosy met him. The 10 were social outcasts because leprosy was believed to be a contagious curse — “the finger of God” — for breaking laws. Social outcasts had to keep their distance, so the 10 called out loudly, “Jesus, Rabbi, have pity on us!”
Jesus told the 10 to “go and show yourselves to the priests” as the law required for those who had already been healed of leprosy so they could return to family and community. Still bearing evidence of their disease, the 10 headed to the priest. As they walked, they became aware of their healing. One of them turned back, fell at Jesus’ feet and praised God. Curiously, the grateful one was a Samaritan — someone included in a leper colony but excluded in Jewish religion and culture. Jesus, also a social and religious outcast, knew this as he asked about the other nine. But to the one who was grateful, he said, “Stand up and go your way; your faith has saved you.”
This story leaves one wondering: Were the other nine who headed for the priest so focused on following the letter of the law that a thank-you to the healer didn’t occur to them? Were they so intent about “moving on” and enjoying their families that they did not take time to give thanks? Might they have felt entitled to their healing because of the many times they had done what was right and followed the law? Because of their birthright?
Gratitude and ingratitude are curiously mixed in this story. If gratitude is as natural as birds singing or rivers flowing to the sea, what causes gratitude to go missing? All ten had followed Jesus’ instruction. But only one made a U-turn to give thanks and praise to the source of healing.
Through acts of gratitude, hearts are opened to the reality of plenty. And eyes are opened to opportunities beyond life’s obstacles and problems.
The Rev. Celia M. Hastings has a master's degree in religious education from Western Theological Seminary in Holland. She is author of “The Wisdom Series” and “The Undertaker’s Wife.”
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Hastings: A curious story of gratitude
