Luke 17:11-19 (NRSV)
Read Luke 17:11-19 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. Verse 12As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, Verse 13they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" Verse 14When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Verse 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. Verse 16He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Verse 17Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Verse 18Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Verse 19Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."
Devotion
Reseruction Luthren Church read the somewhat garbled lettering on the large package delivered to my husband's church, Resurrection Lutheran Church. The box was labeled "Harry & David's" and was filled with gourmet snacks. It was sent by the family of a woman I had conducted a funeral for a few weeks before.
Occasionally the nearby funeral home will call upon local clergy to provide for those without a "church home" who desire a Christian burial. I had done such a service for "Meredith" at my husband’s church. In my mind I had not done anything so out of the ordinary as to merit such a gift, but her family obviously thought otherwise. Of course, the congregation that I serve is very generous with their thanks, but such a lavish gift from such a quarter was certainly unexpected. This family, a "foreigner" to the church, gave thanks to God in the only way they knew how—in sending a nice gift to the church which sheltered them in their time of grief.
Prayer
Loving God, you are continually blessing me from unexpected corners of my life. Give me a spirit of gratitude so that I may thank you from my heart as the tenth former leper did. Amen.