Prostrate But 20/20
Thanksgiving Sunday, October 9, 2011 (Luke 17:11-19 – Jesus on his way to Jerusalem) with II Corinthians 9:6-15 and Deuteronomy 8:7-18 in the b.g.
I tell you a story. Once there was an older woman. She was gracious, often smiling, chuckling and oh so giving. She was known in her community for taking children as young as 5 or 6 out for dinner around the special occasions of their lives, like a birthday for instance. She often invited people over to her home, not just her long time friends, but people she had just met. And even though she was in her early 80's while all this was going on, she attended the educational classes at her church. She liked to say that she was studying for finals, that one was never too old to keep on learning.
Her pastor eventually learned that this woman prayed each day for people listed on the prayer list of her congregation whether she knew them or not. And her home was beautiful but simple. She had great taste. Although she lived on (what many would consider) a very limited budget over the years she had acquired beautiful things, fashioned her own things, decorated in such a way that you as you entered her home you had both a sense of belonging combined with inspiration.
One of the many amazing things about this woman, was how quietly generous she was. She gave to many causes quietly without any fanfare. And she also gave to her church GENEROUSLY. It gave her joy to give of her time, her significant talents and her money. Those numbered as her "family" included not only her biological children, but many others adopted through her immeasurable love. Hers is an amazing story.
Very young and newly married this woman had been blessed with 2 children and a husband who loved her and them deeply. But far too soon her husband became ill and suddenly died. She was left with 2 children, no job and little money. She went out, became re-educated and worked, supporting both her children and as at times others. Her children were free to pursue or at least choose from many different possibilities in terms of education and careers.
Later when her own health deteriorated because of cancer she not only soldiered on, but even somehow lived life more fully. Then when her daughter was permanently injured, even comatose for a long period of time after being struck by a taxi late at night she didn't give up hope.
One Easter morning while the youth in her church were putting on an Easter fundraiser this woman had the audacity to speak honestly to one of her friends who was quite wealthy. He had been blessed with more money than she would ever see. She observed him drop a $10 bill in the plate for the breakfast he and his wife were about to enjoy. As only she could she took his hand, smiled and said quietly but certainly, without any malice, "You can do better than that." And you know what? That morning he did do better than that.
I tell this story about this woman to have us reflect on our vision. How well do we see? How well do you see yourself, others and God? Do we see what is? Do we see what could be? Do we see what matters, the chasm between our need and our want? Is our eyesight 20/20 or something far less?
So I tell a second story. There were 10 men. They were desperate because of the maladies they suffered from. These illnesses were such that they were separated from society. In fact whenever anyone came near, by law they were compelled to shout out, 'UNCLEAN, UNCLEAN'. This also meant that they could no longer work or live with their families. These men and those suffering from similar maladies were a community unto themselves regardless of their former economic status or ethnic background. But these men did know their situation. They needed help. They needed deliverance. They needed new life.
So it is that one day they approach Jesus of Nazareth. They cry out to him, "Master have mercy!" Who knows if they actually expected healing? Maybe they only hoped for a financial donation like those outside BC place or Rogers arena on game days. At least they knew they needed help – help that would have to come from beyond themselves. So it is that they boldly cry out to Jesus.
At first Jesus doesn't seem to respond. He definitely doesn't preach at them nor demand that they profess a certain statement of faith. He doesn't even (at least according to the text) physically touch them. But, he does speak to them. "GO TO THE PRIESTS". It seems like a simple but cold imperative. Nevertheless, they obey. On their way they discover that their skin condition, that thing that had separated them from the majority of society has been cured! Can you believe it? Now their possibilities are no longer closed but open! Back to life. Back to family. Back to work. BACK HOME!
Nine of them continue on their way to the priests to make their cure official. After all it is the law. Supposedly all of these nine are Jewish people – people who once again would have full status in the society of their time. But one of them is a Samaritan man. He is the contemporary social equivalent of a street person, one whom most of us wouldn't invite over to our house for thanksgiving dinner or a sleep over. IT IS ONLY THIS ONE who doesn't continue on to the priests. Instead, he turns around. Then he heads back to Jesus throwing himself in gratitude at Jesus' feet, PRAISING HIM WITH A LOUD VOICE. This one is deeply thankful. He sees where his thankfulness needs to be directed. Jesus is the one who brings new life for him!
With this one, this Samaritan at his feet, Jesus says to him, "Get up and go on your way, your faith has made you WELL!" Here the word for well in Greek is sozo – which can mean salvation, wholeness, deliverance from something for something.
What does Jesus mean in saying to this Samaritan, this former leper lying prostrate at his feet, "your faith has made you well"? Does Jesus mean, if we just believe enough we will be cured from whatever ails us – from economic disparity to broken relationships – to the demise of the earth, to terminal and terminating illnesses? There are some Christians that make such (literalistic decontextualized) claims. But I don't think those claims 'hold water' in this text at all!
Do you notice? It is only to this Samaritan man that Jesus says "your faith has made you well."? It is only this one who comes back to thank Jesus, who realizes that his new life flows from Jesus. But this new life changes everything! The old life is over. New possibilities are dawning. To be sure, the other nine were cured. But were they MADE WELL? They didn't even thank Jesus. They were busy hustling back to what had been.
But what will be? What could be? How is God blessing us, calling us? As these blessings occur are we thankful? Are we being made well/whole?
Dear people, we all need help to see. We need help to see firstly that we need help. We need help to daily trust and receive the love and forgiveness God so richly offers. Then we need help to see others, to have the courage to enter into their lives. In their lives and ours we need help to then love them even as God loves us in Jesus Christ. I am not speaking here of those we think who are just like us or even just of those we are 'related to'. Rather I am speaking about genuinely caring about all we meet, all God places in our journey. We can't do this on our own! God knows we don't.
We also need help to see that we are RICHLY, RICHLY BLESSED. We live in a country with running, clean, safe water. We live in a country where when one gets sick one can see a doctor in a short period of time and if need be, become hospitalized. Oh, I know there are waiting periods. Sometimes these are incredibly frustrating, even dangerous. But people, my grandfather died because he didn't have the money to be placed in a hospital. He was 44 years old with 5 children under the age of 12. He had a boil removed, was sent home and died. That was Canada in 1934.
Don't forget. We are RICHLY BLESSED: to be unconditionally loved by God in Jesus Christ. We gather under the sign of the cross that has been etched not only into our foreheads I pray – but into our hearts where we are joined first with our Lord who enters into all suffering, but then also joined with all others who suffer. We are being loved and forgiven each day (that's you and that's me) not because we are good. Oh, NO, NO , NO – see clearly. But rather because God in Christ is gracious.
What are we doing with all of our rich blessings? What are our opportunities to actually give thanks? What might we do?
Maybe we can start to answer those questions by joining the leper and the lady I first told you about by going as quickly as we can to Jesus' feet to thank him. Somehow 'down' there – our vision becomes clearest. We see the grace of God, ourselves and others honestly.
Could we, will we pray? Your kingdom come, here, now and forever, by your grace even in and among us. THANK YOU. THANK YOU LORD! Amen.