How Does Healing Work?

The 20th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 23C), Oct. 14, 2007

BCP: Ruth 1:(1-7)8-19a; Psalm 113; 2 Tim. 2:(3-7)8-15; Luke 17:11-19

RCL: Jer. 29:1, 4-7; Psalm 66:1-11 or 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c; Psalm 111; 2 Tim. 2:8-15; Luke 17:11-19

In last week’s gospel, Jesus said to his disciples: “If you had faith [as big] as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, ‘Be rooted up and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” (Luke 17:6). In today’s gospel, Luke gives us an example of this teaching.

Jesus enters a village between Samaria and Galilee and is met by 10 lepers who keep their distance. “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us,” they cry out (17:13). Jesus tells them to go and show themselves to the priests. No touching; no laying of hands; no anointing with oil blessed by the bishop.

None of the lepers has a name in Luke’s account, but we do know that one is a Samaritan, referred to as a “foreigner” or “outsider” depending on the translation. Surely such a person would have been perceived by the Jewish community of the day as having little more than a mustard seed of faith.

Yet these 10 lepers already have taken the two most important steps in the healing process: They admit to having their disease and ask for help, thereby acknowledging that their healing requires the assistance of others.

Have you ever tried to help an alcoholic, for example, to be healed who would not admit to having a disease? In such circumstances, it is nearly impossible to make any progress.

The lepers follow Jesus’ instructions and head off to see the local priests. Suddenly, they realize that they have been cleansed. One returns to Jesus, praising God and giving thanks. But Jesus declines to accept any credit: “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well” (17:19).

The one leper who returns to Jesus is a Samaritan, a detail which would have been annoying to the Jewish religious establishment. In Luke’s gospel, Jesus consistently welcomes and ministers to those on the margins of society.

The epistle for the day encourages us to “do your best to present yourself to God, as one ... who has no need to be ashamed” (2 Tim. 2:15). Is this not what these lepers did?

Our faith, even if only the size of a mustard seed, prepares the way for the healing power of God. We have “no need to be ashamed” and we always need God’s help. Often the most difficult thing to do is to ask for it.

Look It Up

Jesus’ teaching, “Your faith has made you well,” is repeated in four places in the gospel narratives. See Matthew 9:22, Mark 5:34, Luke 8:48, and Luke 18:42.

Think About It

If Jesus came to visit your community today, what “disease” in need of healing would you present to him?

Next Sunday

BCP: Gen. 32:3-8, 22-30; Psalm 121; 2 Tim. 3:14–4:5; Luke 18:1-8a

RCL: Jer. 31:27-34; Psalm 119:97-104 or Gen. 32:22-31; Psalm 121; 2 Tim. 3:14–4:5; Luke 18:1-8