The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the Wisdom and Healing of our spiritual tradition and act as resources for guidance, counsel and love.
The Reading from the Book of Wisdom is an Exhortation to Seek Wisdom.
* [6:1–21] The first part of the book closes with an exhortation comparable to 1:1–15, and it leads into “Solomon’s” personal comments on wisdom in chaps. 7–9.
* [6:1] Kings…magistrates: note the inclusion with v. 21 (“kings”). The address to earthly powers is in accord with the opening (1:1), but the true audience remains the Jewish community.
* [6:4] Law: that of Moses; cf. 2:12; 6:10.
* [6:10] Response: a suitable plea before the great Judge. Cf. Prv 22:21; Jb 31:14; Hb 2:1; Sir 8:9. (Wisdom, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 82 is a psalm of Asaph for universal justice.
* [Psalm 82] As in Ps 58, the pagan gods are seen as subordinate divine beings to whom Israel’s God had delegated oversight of the foreign countries in the beginning (Dt 32:8–9). Now God arises in the heavenly assembly (Ps 82:1) to rebuke the unjust “gods” (Ps 82:2–4), who are stripped of divine status and reduced in rank to mortals (Ps 82:5–7). They are accused of misruling the earth by not upholding the poor. A short prayer for universal justice concludes the Psalm (Ps 82:8). (Psalms, PSALM 82|USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus Cleansing of Ten Lepers.
* [17:11–19] This incident recounting the thankfulness of the cleansed Samaritan leper is narrated only in Luke’s gospel and provides an instance of Jesus holding up a non-Jew (Lk 17:18) as an example to his Jewish contemporaries (cf. Lk 10:33 where a similar purpose is achieved in the story of the good Samaritan). Moreover, it is the faith in Jesus manifested by the foreigner that has brought him salvation (Lk 17:19; cf. the similar relationship between faith and salvation in Lk 7:50; 8:48, 50).
* [17:11] Through Samaria and Galilee: or, “between Samaria and Galilee.”
* [17:14] See note on Lk 5:14. (Luke, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB, n.d.)
Steve Scholer comments on the responsibility that comes with a crown noting that
St. Ignatius tackled this issue almost 500 years ago and gave us a roadmap to lightening the weight of the crown.
The key to leading is in understanding our own strengths and weaknesses. That knowledge and deeper understanding come through daily reflection – looking for God’s presence in our lives and asking for the help of the Spirit to guide our interactions.
Ignatius also stressed that leaders were those who engaged others with dignity, a positive attitude and an open heart, ready to love and accept. He charged the Society to govern using “all the love and modesty and charity possible.” Ignatius knew that fear was not how one leads, but rather, by being mutually supportive and creating positive environments fueled by acceptance and affection.
Like it or not, we are all leaders who impact those around us. As we go about our busy lives, we need to stop frequently and reflect on the impact of our words and actions or inactions. We may not lead on the grand scale of a pope, president or premier, but we are equally as powerful to those who look to us for guidance, counsel and love. (Scholer, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Cleansing of the ten lepers,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"Why did [Jesus] not say, 'I will, be cleansed,' as he did in the case of another leper (Luke 5:13), instead of commanding them to show themselves to the priests? It was because the law gave directions to this effect to those who were delivered from leprosy (Leviticus 14:2). It commanded them to show themselves to the priests and to offer a sacrifice for their cleansing. He commanded them to go as being already healed so that they might bear witness to the priests, the rulers of the Jews and always envious of his glory. They testified that wonderfully and beyond their hope, they had been delivered from their misfortune by Christ's willing that they should be healed. He did not heal them first but sent them to the priests, because the priests knew the marks of leprosy and of its healing." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILIES 113-16) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 17:11-19 comments that today’s familiar Gospel story of Jesus healing ten people with leprosy reveals a pattern in the way he relates to anyone seeking healing from him. It’s a back-and-forth pattern that has persisted for ages and is just as relevant to us today.
What need is weighing on your heart; where do you need healing? Call out to Jesus! He hears you. If you think he’s guiding you in a certain direction, do your best to obey him. Know that he is working in your life as you trust him. And when you perceive him beginning to heal you, turn to him with gratitude. Don’t let anything get in the way. Simply open your heart in thanksgiving and receive the gifts he wants to give you.
“Jesus, thank you for hearing me, healing me, and saving me!” (Meditation on Luke 17:11-19, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes the Wisdom reading presents Middle East wisdom that someone about to rule should learn the way of God and protect the rights of the poor. As declared by Spiderman, “great power demands great responsibility”. Leaders are judged according to what they can do. Jesus heals ten and sends them to authority to follow Jewish law. In Luke, good Jews and Gentiles will follow Jesus. Samaritans, half Jews, accepted the Torah and worshiped outside Jerusalem.The hero is a foreigner. Friar Jude comments that research In shopping malls by opening doors for people reveals only one in fifty responds with thanks. We are urged to be thankful for so many ways in which we are blessed and consider if a foreigner is an example to follow in virtue.
Fr. Mike Schmitz discusses our call to deny ourselves and take up our cross, specifically focusing on God’s call to renounce all that is ours and trust in him. He also highlights the story of Mary and Martha and encourages us not to allow the cares of life to choke the life of God out of our lives as Martha allowed her troubles and anxieties to do. Today’s readings are from Luke 9-10 and Proverbs 26:4-6.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, writes of the sacramental nature of bread and wine in the Eucharist. A true believer is eating what he or she is afraid to see and afraid to accept: The universe is the Body of God, both in its essence and in its suffering.
The Eucharist is an encounter of the heart when we recognize Christ’s Presence through our own offered presence. In the Eucharist, we move beyond mere words or rational thought and go to that place where we don’t talk about the Mystery anymore; we begin to chew on it. Jesus did not say, “Think about this” or “Stare at this” or even “Worship this.” Instead, he said, “Eat this!”
We must move our knowing to the bodily, cellular, participative, and thus unitive level. We must keep eating and drinking the Mystery, until one day it dawns on us, in an undefended moment, “My God, I really am what I eat! I also am the Body of Christ.” Then we can henceforth trust and allow what has been true since the first moment of our existence. The Eucharist should jolt us into awareness that we have dignity and power flowing through us in our bare and naked existence—and everybody else does too, even though most do not know it. A body awareness of this sort is enough to steer and empower our entire faith life.
This is why I must hold to the orthodox belief that there is Real Presence in the bread and wine. For me, if we sacrifice Reality in the basic and universal elements, we end up sacrificing the same Reality in ourselves. (Rohr, n.d.)
We implore the Spirit to empower us to accept our leadership role of participation in the Body of Christ as agents of healing and unity in our environment.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/17?11
Meditation on Luke 17:11-19. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/12/1428150/
Psalms, PSALM 82|USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/82?3
Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Sacrament of the Eucharist. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-sacrament-of-the-eucharist/
Scholer, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton On Line Ministries. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-13-2019
Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Fell at Jesus' Feet Giving Thanks. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
Wisdom, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/6?1
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