Theme: Luke 17:11-19 Jesus heals 10 lepers, and one, the Samaritan, returns to give thanks.

From the desk of Ms. Kathleen Cook, Director of Religious Education
Theme: Luke 17:11-19 Jesus heals 10 lepers, and one, the Samaritan, returns to give thanks.
Summary: This Gospel about the cleansing of the 10 lepers will also be heard on Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Here we have the story of the miraculous healing of ten lepers. They cry out to Jesus, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And indeed, Jesus does have pity on them and sends them away cleansed. There is only one, a Samaritan, of the ten that recognizes that he is healed and that it was by the word of Jesus that it occurred. He returns in gratitude for what has happened to him. At the conclusion we hear Jesus respond to the fact that only one of the ten returned to give thanks. Jesus asks the question, “Where are the other nine?”
Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3): While younger children are learning to be less focused on themselves, they may at times be demanding, wanting their desires or needs met immediately. Support younger children in beginning a habit of gratitude and patience by helping them notice their many blessings, including family members and others who care for them. 
 
Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6): It is easy for us to take the good things in our life for granted. This temptation is particularly great for young people. We can move our young people from a sense of entitlement to a sense of gratitude by reminding them of the source of the good things in their lives and by teaching appropriate ways to offer thanks.
 
Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8): Junior high is a time when young people need opportunities to discern their gifts. This Sunday's Gospel can inspire them to take inventory of their gifts and to offer thanks.
 
Scripture: Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?" Luke 17:17 
 
One day, Jesus was walking through a small village when he saw a group of ten lepers. They stood far away from Jesus and called to him, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us." Obviously, they knew who Jesus was and that he had the power to heal them. When Jesus heard them, he called back to the lepers and said, "Go, show yourself to the priest."
As the lepers went on their way to see the priest, they looked at their skin and the sores were gone. Jesus had healed their disease. They were so happy that they ran up and down the streets singing and dancing. Suddenly, one of them stopped and went back. Praising God with a loud voice, he threw himself at Jesus' feet and said, "Thank You." Jesus said to him, "Weren't there ten who were healed? Where are the other nine?" Only one out of ten remembered to say, "Thank You."
Dear Lord, you give us everything we need, but we often forget to say "Thank You." We thank you now, and ask you to help us to remember to give thanks every day for all that you do for us. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
 
 
My Promise to Jesus: I will thank you every evening for all the little joys of my day.
 
Reflect: If a word or phrase from the Gospel captures your heart, sit quietly for several minutes, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life. Have you ever felt like an outcast or reached out to someone who felt that way?
 
Suggested book that compliments today’s Gospel:
http://scu.edu/character/build-plant-grow/
Little Lumpy’s Book of Blessings
Written by L. Carol Lewis
ISBN: 13-978-0970241504
Pray that your prayers of thanksgiving and praise to God will eventually outnumber the prayers where you are asking God for something, for it is true that God already knows what we NEED. Amen.