Luke 17:11-16: a reflection

11As he was on his way to Jerusalem, he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. 12As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance. 13They lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed. 15One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. 16He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan.

Ten lepers cry out to Jesus for mercy, and he heals them all, telling them to go show themselves to the priests; and as they go, they are cleansed. But then something telling happens: only one of the ten, seeing he was healed, turns back to give thanks, falling at Jesus' feet, glorifying God. And he was a Samaritan, an outsider. Nine received the mercy and went on their way; only one returned to give thanks. Where, Jesus asks, are the other nine?

Notice the rarity of gratitude here: only one of ten returned to give thanks. All ten had cried out for mercy; all ten received it; but only one thought to return and thank the One who had healed him. The other nine, having received what they wanted, simply went on their way, forgetting to give thanks. Gratitude, it seems, is rarer than we might expect; nine forgot it, and only one remembered to return and thank God for the mercy he had received.

That rarity of gratitude is a searching thing, for we can easily be among the nine. We ask God for mercy in our need, and receive it; but then, having gotten what we wanted, we can simply go on our way, forgetting to return and give thanks. It is easy to remember to ask, and to forget to thank. Do not be among the nine who received the mercy and forgot to give thanks; be the one who returns, remembering to thank God for the mercies you have received. When God answers your prayers and shows you mercy, do not simply go on your way, forgetting him; return, like the grateful leper, to give thanks. Cultivate the gratitude that remembers to thank God for his mercies, rather than the forgetfulness of the nine who received and did not return. Be the one who comes back to give thanks, glorifying God for the mercy you have received, rather than taking his mercies and forgetting the One who gave them.

Lord Jesus, ten lepers cried out to you for mercy, and you healed them all; but only one, a Samaritan, turned back to give thanks, falling at your feet, glorifying God, while the other nine went on their way; and you asked, where are the other nine? Let the rarity of gratitude here search me, for I can easily be among the nine. I ask you for mercy in my need, and receive it; but then, having gotten what I wanted, I can simply go on my way, forgetting to return and give thanks. It is easy to remember to ask, and to forget to thank. Keep me from being among the nine who received the mercy and forgot to give thanks; help me be the one who returns, remembering to thank you for the mercies I have received. When you answer my prayers and show me mercy, keep me from simply going on my way, forgetting you; help me return, like the grateful leper, to give thanks. Cultivate in me the gratitude that remembers to thank you for your mercies, Lord, rather than the forgetfulness of the nine. Help me be the one who comes back to give thanks, glorifying you for the mercy I have received. Make me grateful, and quick to return and thank you.