The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to extend Christ’s love to all even as we may have to contend with social and political forces that profit from polarization.
In the reading from the Letter of Titus, we are exhorted to maintain Good Deeds.
* [3:1–8] The list of Christian duties continues from Ti 2:9–10, undergirded again as in Ti 2:11–13 by appeal to what God in Christ has done (Ti 2:4–7; cf. Ti 2:11–14). The spiritual renewal of the Cretans, signified in God’s merciful gift of baptism (Ti 3:4–7), should be reflected in their improved attitude toward civil authority and in their Christian relationship with all (Ti 3:1–3).
* [3:1] Magistrates and authorities: some interpreters understand these terms as referring to the principalities and powers of the heavenly hierarchy. To be open to every good enterprise: this implies being good citizens. It could also be translated “ready to do every sort of good work” (as Christians); cf. Ti 3:14. (Titus, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 23 praises The Divine Shepherd.
* [Psalm 23] God’s loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of a shepherd for the flock (Ps 23:1–4) and a host’s generosity toward a guest (Ps 23:5–6). The imagery of both sections is drawn from traditions of the exodus (Is 40:11; 49:10; Jer 31:10).
* [23:1] My shepherd: God as good shepherd is common in both the Old Testament and the New Testament (Ez 34:11–16; Jn 10:11–18).
* [23:3] Right paths: connotes “right way” and “way of righteousness.”
* [23:5] You set a table before me: this expression occurs in an exodus context in Ps 78:19. In front of my enemies: my enemies see that I am God’s friend and guest. Oil: a perfumed ointment made from olive oil, used especially at banquets (Ps 104:15; Mt 26:7; Lk 7:37, 46; Jn 12:2).
* [23:6] Goodness and mercy: the blessings of God’s covenant with Israel. (Psalms, PSALM 23, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Cleanses 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). (Luke, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB, n.d.)
Vivian Amu comments that the lepers were healed, not just physically, but also socially and spiritually. As the story of the lepers revealed, there is more to healing than we may acknowledge on the surface.
Healing unfolds over time; healing requires movement, not just physically but most importantly, healing requires movement of heart and mind.
By sending the lepers on their way before they received healing, Jesus teaches us that healing takes place when we take steps in trust. We acknowledge that we need healing, we seek Jesus, the healer of wounded souls, we take steps of faith, and when we receive God’s grace, we return to God in prayer to give thanks. Likewise, when we receive healing, we are more able to participate in the healing of others. That is also a way to acknowledge the source of our blessings. (Amu, 2024)
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 we don’t know what kept the other nine from praising God for their healing. But we do know that the one who returned demonstrated his faith as he glorified God loudly enough for everyone to hear.
Even if you don’t have a pressing need right now, you can still cry out—in thanksgiving for all he has done for you! And if you do have a need, you can still cry out in thanksgiving—you can thank him in anticipation of whatever grace or healing or insight or gift he will give you. You can raise your voice in a song of praise or read aloud one of the psalms. Or use your own words as you thank him for his goodness and love.
God gave you a voice, so use it!
“Thank you, Jesus, that you hear my cry and answer my call!” (Meditation on Luke 17:11-19, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the appeal of Titus to be good citizens of the Roman Empire that is alternately described as a demonic force in the Book of Revelation. The teaching of Paul on salvation at the end times compared to realizing salvation at Baptism may indicate he is not the author of this letter. Friar Jude notes that Luke uses examples of the faith of the anawim to illustrate those most willing to accept Jesus' message.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author Debie Thomas who considers how the biblical metaphor of a vine and branches invites us to come to terms with our interconnectedness. Thomas emphasizes the reality of our shared life, even when messy and difficult.
I can’t imagine that there was ever a time when Jesus’s followers found the metaphor of the vine easy to apply in daily life. But it’s especially challenging to do so now. We live in bitterly divided times. We have good reasons to be cautious and self-protective, even within the church. It’s hard in our self-promoting culture to confess that we are lost and lifeless on our own. That our glory lies in surrender, not self-sufficiency….
If only we would consent to see reality as it truly is. “I am the vine,” Jesus tells his disciples. “You are the branches.” It’s a done deal. Whether we like it or not, our lives are bound up in God’s and in each other’s. The only true life we will live in this world is the life we consent to live in relationship, messy and entangled though it might be. The only fruit worth sharing with the world is the fruit we’ll produce together. (Rohr, n.d.)
We encounter the daily paradox of a world organized by humans that is often clannish, unfair, and exclusive to members of the club and our mission with Christ to transform society to love and heal all humanity.
References
Amu, V. (2024, November 13). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/111324.html
Luke, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/17?11
Meditation on Luke 17:11-19. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/13/1129096/
Psalms, PSALM 23. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/23?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Bearing Fruit Together. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/bearing-fruit-together/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Fell at Jesus' Feet Giving Thanks. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov13
Titus, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/titus/3?1
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