Living in the Shadows and Thankfulness

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 and Psalm 66:1-12  •  2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c and Psalm 111  •  2 Timothy 2:8-15  •  Luke 17:11-19

In this week's gospel Jesus heals ten lepers, outcasts living in isolation who cry out "Unclean!" to passers by, and who seek Jesus' healing. In "A Foreigner's Praise," Debie Thomas tells us that this story is much more than just thankfulness. Why did the one return to give thanks to Jesus, and the others didn't? What was missing in the leper's life? In our lives? What does it take to find what matters most? To be healed? To get on with our lives? How does this affect others we commune with, associate with, who we see as others or foreigners, who we include and exclude? Who of us misses the mark (ἁμαρτία - the Greek word for "sin")? Who is worthy of healing, love, forgiveness, acceptance? What stands in the way?