On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! ” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

- Luke 17:11-19 (NRSV)

Given the fear of contagion in Jesus’ day, those suffering from dreaded skin diseases were relegated to the outskirts of towns and not permitted to approach those who were not similarly infected. To re-enter society, sufferers were first required to be declared “clean” by the priests. One of the 10 who call out to Jesus is also identified as a Samaritan. Owing to profound differences in beliefs, many of those who were Samaritan and those who were Jewish did not hold each other in high regard, to say the least.

In this story as in many others, Christ heals those in the in-between spaces who are relegated to the margins, whether such relegation is established by law, by perception and fear, or by disagreements as to beliefs. Christ reminds us to give thanks to God who heals us. Let us be mindful of giving thanks to God for each moment through which we are made whole, in whatever way, each day.

Revd Claudia Coustas

Chaplin