Sunday Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons: 13 October 2013

Fr Robin Gibbons

28th Sunday of the Year c

Do you ever think that you are ungrateful? No? I certainly don’t as a rule, but the stories of Naaman the leper with Elisha and Jesus with the ten lepers have made me look again at the way I say thanks. I made myself revisit the way I acknowledge the gifts God has put in my way this past week. The story of Naaman is quite clear, after finding himself made clean in the Jordan he goes to Elisha, thanking God for the healing he has received but wanting to give thanks to Elisha as a well.

The Prophet wants no thanks, after all what he is doing is no more than he has been called to, instead by his refusal to accept a gift he points out his own role as one who brings God close to others, pointing out the signs of God present amongst life. Naaman offers his gifts to the Lord as a sign of total acceptance of the Most High God.

The story of the ten lepers is a little more curious. At first glance it is obvious that we have nine ungrateful people, healed but heedless of the thanks they need to give to Jesus, only one returns.

But hold on, all that the nine are doing is absolutely correct, as Jews they follow the teacher's instructions and after being healed show themselves to the priests so they can be pronounced clean and return to normal life. I have no doubt they did in fact give thanks and offer sacrifice. But Luke shines a spotlight on the relationship Jesus has with the one who returned.

Here we have one of those lovely touches that so often happens with Jesus. The person is technically an outcast like so many in the Gospels. He shows true gratitude by recognizing who Jesus is, Emmanuel, God-with-us, the promised Messiah. Jesus breaks down boundaries including religious ones, if they block or stop God’s gifts of faith and love growing in others. It is not enough that the observance of religious law is followed; Jesus asks us for more, a relationship forged in love and hope with him. He is calling us to be a people who give thanks always, remaining faithful to him as he is to us. People who with gratitude find healing and forgiveness through the many ways he reveals his presence.

Fr Robin will give the first Living Faith Lecture - speaking on Working with Christian Traditions of Prayer from East and West - at Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue, SW1P 1QJ, from 7.30pm on 16 October.

These are public lectures and all are welcome. There will be an opportunity to discuss the talks with tea and coffee provided. Registration is required. Please register at livingfaith@rcdow.org.uk