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From: Luke 17:11-19

The Ten Lepers

[11] On the way to Jerusalem He (Jesus) was passing along between
Samaria and Galilee. [12] And as He entered the village, He was met
by ten lepers, who stood at a distance [13] and lifted up their voices
and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." [14] When He saw them He
said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they
went they were cleansed. [15] Then one of them, when he saw that he
was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; [16] and he
fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a
Samaritan. [17] Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are
the nine? [18] Was no one found to return and give praise to God
except this foreigner?" [19] And He said to him, "Rise and go your
way; your faith has made you well."

Commentary:

11-19. The setting of this episode explains how a Samaritan could be in
the company of Jews. There was no love lost between Jews and
Samaritans (cf. John 4:9), but shared pain, in the case of these
lepers, overcame racial antipathy.

The Law of Moses laid down, to prevent the spread of the disease, that
lepers should live away from other people and should let it be known
that they were suffering from this disease (cf. Leviticus 13:45-46).
This explains why they did not come right up to Jesus and His group,
but instead begged His help by shouting from a distance. Before curing
them our Lord orders them to go to the priests to have their cure
certified (cf. Leviticus 14:2ff), and to perform the rites laid down.
The lepers' obedience is a sign of faith in Jesus' words. And, in
fact, soon after setting out they are cleansed.

However, only one of them, the Samaritan, who returns praising God and
showing his gratitude for the miracle, is given a much greater gift
than the cure of leprosy. Jesus says as much: "Your faith has made you
well" (verse 19) and praises the man's gratefulness. The Gospel
records this event to teach us the value of gratefulness: "Get used to
lifting your heart to God, in acts of thanksgiving, many times a day.
Because He gives you this and that. Because you have been despised.
Because you haven't what you need or because you have.

"Because He made His Mother so beautiful, His Mother who is also your
Mother. Because He created the sun and the moon and this animal and
that plant. Because He made that man eloquent and you He left
tongue-tied....

"Thank Him for everything, because everything is good" ([St] J. Escriva, "The
Way", 268).

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

FEAST OF THE DAY

St. Josaphat was born around the year 1580 in Eastern Europe and
was raised in the Eastern Orthodox faith. In the year 1595, the
Orthodox bishop of Brest-Litovsk, and five other bishops broke away
from the Eastern Orthodox and sought to be reunited with Rome.
This had a great effect on Josaphat, and he joined the movement
and dedicated the rest of his life and even his death to the cause.

Josaphat became a Basilian monk, and was ordained to the
priesthood. He soon became well known as a preacher and as an
ascetic. Josaphat's work gave him a reputation and, although he was
relatively young, he was asked to be bishop of the diocese of
Vitebsk. Josaphat implemented a system of synods, catechetical
instruction, reform of the clergy and coupled with his own example,
won many hearts to union with Rome.

Unfortunately, as many hearts that Josaphat helped convert, just as
many were solidified in opposition against him. Josaphat was
criticized for his actions and despite warnings of danger, he
continued his work. Josaphat returned to his home in the city of
Vitebsk, and while he was there the opposition took action. After
being verbally harassed, he was removed from his home by a mob
and killed. His body was thrown into the river, but it was retrieved
and later buried in Biala, Poland. In 1867, he became the first saint
of the Eastern Church to be canonized by Rome.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

You people of Vitebsk want to put me to death. You make ambushes
for me everywhere, in the streets, on the bridges, on the highways,
and in the marketplace. I am here among you as a shepherd and you
ought to know that I should be happy to give my life for you. I am
ready to die for the holy union, fir the supremacy of St. Peter and of
his successor the Supreme Pontiff. -St. Josaphat

TODAY IN HISTORY

607 Boniface III ends his reign as Pope

TODAY'S TIDBIT

An ascetic, like Josaphat, exercises self-discipline in all forms for the
love of God and spiritual improvement. This usually deals with
curbing physical wants, but also may deal with curbing internal
wants. An ascetic seeks to conform all his or her appetites to right
reason and the law of God. Asceticism is not an end in itself, but is
directed to allowing a more perfect love of God.

INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray through the intercession of St. Josaphat for the
Ecumenical movement seeking to rejoin the East and the West.