Wednesday of the
Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
(Titus 1:1-9; Luke 17:11-19)
The readings today indicate two responses to God’s
graciousness. The Letter to Titus
recommends that Christians respect everyone by being peaceful and
considerate. Since Baptism has healed
them of crude and spiteful behavior, they should try to win over others to
Christ. The gospel’s recommendation for
expressing gratitude is more direct. The
tenth leper, healed of disease, returns to Jesus with thankfulness on his
lips.
Jesus is the central figure in both passages. He is God’s instrument in the first
reading. Sharing in Jesus’ cross through
Baptism, the Christian dies to sin.
Experiencing rebirth in the same baptismal waters, she now lives for God
and not for self. In the gospel Jesus pronounces
physical healing for each of the ten lepers.
Then he announces salvation for the one who comes back to give thanks.
We are fast approaching the great American holiday of
Thanksgiving and the joyful Christian feast of Christmas. Both occasions invoke great amounts of gratitude. Americans thank God for their remarkable prosperity. We Christians raise our voices to God in
highest praise for sending Jesus, our Redeemer.
