Reflection for Wednesday November 12 Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr: Luke 17:11-19

Gospel: 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."

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Reflection:

What does God require of us to be healed of our physical and emotional sickness? God requires faith, humility, and gratefulness.

In our Gospel today, while Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, His attention was caught from afar by ten men who were shouting with faith, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” It was not their loud voices that caught the Lord’s attention; it was their faith-filled hearts that moved Him with compassion. Jesus saw beyond their wounds and pain—He saw their trust in Him.

As a result, all ten were healed. Yet not all of them were humble and grateful enough to return and acknowledge the One who made them whole. Only one man—a Samaritan, a foreigner—went back to thank Jesus. His act of gratitude revealed not just a healed body but a transformed heart.

Then Jesus said, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?” Why did He ask this? Was He longing to be praised? Of course not. Jesus sought the others because He wanted to see if they carried the virtues of humility and gratefulness. Sadly, they did not return. Their healing was complete in the flesh, but incomplete in spirit.

From this Gospel, we can draw three life-giving lessons that speak to our journey of faith:

 First, we must always have faith in Jesus. No matter the storms that batter our lives, we must never let go of our trust in Him. Our faith is the anchor that steadies us when everything else feels uncertain.

Second, we must always humble ourselves before God by submitting to His will, not our own. God’s plan for us is always greater and wiser than what we could ever design for ourselves. True humility allows us to surrender control and let His grace lead our steps.

Third, we must always be grateful. Every day, God showers us with countless blessings—some small, some great, all precious. The food on our table, the health we enjoy, the breath we take each morning—these may seem ordinary, but they are extraordinary gifts from a loving Father. Gratitude opens our eyes to see His miracles in the most ordinary moments.

Therefore, let us always nurture hearts filled with faith, humility, and gratitude. Let us trust in God no matter what challenges we face. Let us humble ourselves before Him and others, for humility is the doorway through which more blessings flow. And let us live each day with thankful hearts, recognizing the small and great miracles that God works in our lives.

Have we become like the Samaritan—faithful, humble, and grateful—or have we, perhaps unknowingly, walked away without returning to thank the Lord who heals and blesses us each day? – Marino J. Dasmarinas