Homily for October 9, 2016

An old story tells of a little boy who fell off a pier into deep ocean water. An older sailor, heedless of the great danger to himself, dove into the stormy water, struggled with the boy, and finally, exhausted, brought him to safety. Two days later the boy’s mother came with him to the same pier, seeking the sailor who rescued her son. Finding him, she asked, “You dove into the ocean to bring my boy out?” “I did,” he replied. The mother quickly demanded, “Then where’s his hat?”

It is a favorite and frequent Thanksgiving day homily. In fact you’ll probably hear me get it not this year but someday. Ten lepers were healed, but only one came back. Where are the other nine? Were they like the boy’s mother who was unsatisfied with just having her son, but wanted his hat as well? The fact is that many of us are ungrateful to God.

Instead, I would like to take a look at the three positive responses that Saint Luke tells us people had to being healed by Jesus.

  • In chapter 8 we meet a man who was thought to be possessed by the devil, but may have been emotionally disturbed. He was forced to live in a cemetery. Jesus send the man back to his family and home. The man’s reaction is to tell and retell the story of what Jesus did for him. In other words, he witnessed to others.
  • In today’s Gospel, we find a truly grateful Samaritan who was healed of perhaps the most feared disease of the day– leprosy. He returned to Jesus when he realized that he was healed. He gave banks and threw himself at the feet of Jesus. In other words, he worshipped Jesus. He knew that only God could have healed him.
  • In chapter 18 we learn about Bartimaeus who continued to call upon Jesus even when others discouraged him. Saint Luke tells us that he followed after Jesus.   In other words, he walked with Jesus. Bartimaeus didn’t have to be asked. He knew that he must and wanted to become a follower of Jesus: to listen, love, and live by his words and example.

Today’s psalm reminds us the Lord has done marvelous deeds. God created us, made beloved sons and daughters, died on Cross for us, forgiven our sins, fills with his body and blood in the Eucharist, and gifted us with the Holy Spirit to be our advocate, comforter, and guide.   Saint Luke makes it very clear what our response be:

  • give witness to the Lord by telling us what God has done for us:
  • worship the Lord at Mass and in praying in the presence of Jesus in the tabernacle; and
  • walk with the Lord as true disciple.