"Jesus, Ginoo, Maluoy Ka Sa Amon"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 17:11-19)

Sang nagapanglakaton si Jesus pakadto sa siyudad sang Jerusalem, nag-agi siya sa dulunan sang Samaria kag Galilea.

Sang nagapasulod siya sa isa ka baryo, ginsugata siya sang napulo ka aruon. Nagtindog lang sila sa ulo-unhan, kag nagasinggit, "Jesus, Ginoo! Maluoy ka sa amon!"

Pagkakita ni Jesus sa ila, nagsiling siya, "Kadto kamo sa mga pari kag magpatan-aw sa ila." Sang nagalakat pa lang sila, nag-alayo sila tanan.

Pagkakita sang isa sa ila nga naayo na siya, nagbalik siya kay Jesus nga nagasinggit sang pagdayaw sa Dios.

Nagluhod siya kag nagpasalamat kay Jesus. Ato nga tawo taga-Samaria.

Dayon nagsiling si Jesus, "Indi bala nga napulo ang nag-alayo? Diin na ang siyam?

Ngaa wala nagbalik ang iban agod magpasalamat sa Dios luwas sa sining tawo nga indi Judio?"

Kag nagsiling si Jesus sa iya, "Tindog ka kag magpauli. Ang imo pagtuo nagluwas sa imo."

***

Meditation:  

What can adversity teach us about the healing power of love and mercy? Proverbs gives us a hint: A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity (Prov. 17:17). When adversity strikes you find out who truly is your brother, sister, and friend. The gospel records an unusual encounter between individuals who belonged to groups which had been divided and hostile towards one another for centuries. The Jews regarded the Samaritans as heretics worse than pagans.  And as a result they had no dealings with each another. They were openly hostile whenever their paths crossed. In this gospel narrative we see one rare exception -- a Samaritan leper in company with nine Jewish lepers. Sometimes adversity forces us to drop our barriers or to forget our prejudices. When this band of lepers saw Jesus they made a bold request.  They didn't ask for healing, but instead asked for mercy. 

The word mercy literally means "sorrowful at heart". But mercy is more than just compassion, or heartfelt sorrow at another's misfortune. While compassion empathizes with the sufferer, mercy goes further. It removes suffering. A merciful person shares in another's misfortune and suffering as if it were his own. And he will do everything in his power to dispel that misery.  Mercy is also connected with justice. Thomas Aquinas said that mercy "does not destroy justice, but is a certain kind of fulfillment of justice. ..Mercy without justice is the mother of dissolution; (and) justice without mercy is cruelty."  Pardon without repentance negates justice. So what is the significance of these ten lepers asking for mercy? They know they are in need of healing, not just physical, but spiritual healing as well.  They approach Jesus with contrition and faith because they believe that he can release the burden of guilt and suffering and make restoration of body and soul possible. Their request for mercy is both a plea for pardon and release from suffering. Jesus gives mercy to all who ask with faith and contrition. 

Why did only one leper out of ten  — a Samaritan whom the Jews despised as a people worse than pagans — return to show gratitude? Gratefulness is related to grace — a word which means the release of loveliness. Gratitude is the homage of the heart which responds with graciousness in expressing an act of thanksgiving. The Samaritan approached Jesus reverently and gave praise to God. If we do not recognize and appreciate the mercy shown us we will be ungrateful. Ingratitude is forgetfulness or a poor return for kindness received. Ingratitude easily leads to lack of charity and intolerance towards others as well as to other sins, such as discontent, dissatisfaction, complaining, grumbling, pride and presumption. How often have we been ungrateful to our parents, pastors, teachers, and neighbors? Do you express gratitude to God for his mercy  and do you show mercy to your neighbor? 

"Lord, may I never fail to recognize your love and mercy. Fill my heart with gratitude and thanksgiving and free me from pride, discontentment, and ingratitude.   Help me to count my blessings with gratefulness and to give thanks in all circumstances."