On the Way
October 9, 2022: A Reflection for the 28th Sunday in OT, Year C
Luke 17:11-19
The lepers stood at a distance from Jesus and raised their voices, 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. Lk 17:12-14
Jesus is journeying on his way to Jerusalem. This means so much more than a simple walk toward a city. To say that he is on his way to Jerusalem means that he is resolutely walking toward the fulfillment of the Father’s plan. He is journeying to his passion, death and resurrection. To the life-giving act of love that is the reason he became one of us. To be the Way to the Father for us all. It is his life’s purpose and glory. And for Jesus this was everything.
While he is “on the Way” he is approached by ten lepers. They were outcasts because of their disease and were not permitted to enter the town. So they stood at a distance and called out to Jesus at the top of their voices, “Master! Have pity on us!” They had heard about this itinerant preacher who went about healing and they wondered among themselves whether to engage him. One leper in particular saw something in Jesus that told him that Jesus was more than a wonder-worker. It was this leper’s first big step ‘on the Way.’ He didn’t know what it was, but he knew that Jesus somehow held the key to his purpose in life. He trusted him. The Samaritan was willing to risk it all.
Jesus responded to their cry for pity by asking them to do something. Something that demanded faith in him and in his word by taking action. The action that Jesus asked of them was to go show themselves to the priests. It didn’t seem like a logical response to their cry for help! But off they went. They began to walk on The Way. And as they walked along, they were healed. Some were still skeptical. But the one who saw deeper and who trusted the word and the person of Jesus, knew in his heart that Jesus was healing him in a way he had never dreamed. Yes, his leprosy was gone – a tremendous miracle for which he returned to thank him. And Jesus who steadfastly walked the Way given him by the Father, sent him on HIS way. The way of faith in the Son of God who loved him and gave himself for him.
Each one of us is called to walk on The Way. The Way who is Jesus. Each one has a particular path in which, like the leper, we follow the word of Jesus even though at times we have no idea where it will lead us or understand how it could possibly be for our healing. Yet, we do know Jesus. And like the leper who thanked him, we trust in the person of Jesus and his love. So let us ‘stand up – rise! Be resurrected! –and go;’ Walk our Way. Yield ourselves to the one who is our Way, our Truth and our Life. The one who loved us to the end.