The Message, November 19, 2023: "Giving Thanks," Luke 17:11-19

Author: Rev. Scott W. Cousineau
November 21, 2023

 

“Giving Thanks – Living Thanks”
A Message by Rev. Scott W. Cousineau
Luke 17:11-19

            Let’s talk about Leprosy. That is a fun topic. This will make for great conversation around our Thanksgiving dinner tables.

            “Hey everyone, do you want to know about lepers?”

            I have actually never uttered those words at the dinner table … or to open a sermon. But, as is often the case, it is helpful to establish the context for this scripture story.

            In the biblical era, “leprosy” was actually a general term that included a wide spectrum of disorders from simple blemishes to more serious rashes and infections. “Leprosy” was often attributed to divine judgment. It was a disease of not only the skin but also of the soul. The judgment was often attributed to the sins of the parents for their disregard for purity laws, or dishonest behavior, or slanderous tongues … especially if they spoke poorly about the priests or other authorities.

            There were very specific laws that governed how people with leprosy were to behave when they were diagnosed with the malady.

            They had to live away from the village or the camp. (Numbers 5:2-3)
            They had to call out, “Unclean! Unclean!” whenever anyone approached. (Leviticus 13:45-46) It was their version of the Scarlet Letter.
            And, if one recovered, they had to go be certified by a local priest before they could return to the community. (Leviticus 14:23)

            As we might imagine, being an individual with leprosy was very difficult. Not only did they suffer the pain and discomfort of their physical ailment, they also suffered the isolation of being sent away. They suffered the indignity of not being able to work. They were forced to beg by the side of the road, begging for mercy and perhaps a coin or two.

            However, because the term “leprosy” applied to a wide variety of skin ailments, people actually did recover. Being banished to the leper camps was not necessarily a life sentence. But life within the camp must have been a life of desperation. So much so that the walls that typically divided were broken down. The Jewish people never associated with Samaritans, but they had formed a community among the outcasts.

            And it is into that context that Jesus arrived in our passage this morning. As Jesus made his way toward Jerusalem, he passed by the camp, and the men with leprosy called out to him, “Jesus, Master, have mercy upon us!” And Jesus saw them.

            The little word “saw” is significant. So often, people that are in marginalized communities feel invisible to the rest of the world. Several years ago, I invited a homeless man that I had been working with to deliver the message during our morning worship service. He began his message with these three words, “I am invisible.” Followed by, “I am nothing.” Those words broke every heart in the room that morning.

            How often do people look the other way when encountering someone that makes them feel uncomfortable? How often do we cross to the other side of the road?

            But Jesus saw those men. They were not invisible to him. They mattered to him. Jesus offered them the mercy for which they had begged.

            “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

            At our Bible study on Thursday evening, we spent a good bit of time discussing what happened next. “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him — and he was a Samaritan.” (Luke 17:15-16)

            What about the other nine? We know about the one … what about the others?

            And the reality is that we do not know about the other nine. Maybe, they were grateful, but they were anxious to do precisely what Jesus had instructed them to do … present themselves to the priests in Jerusalem, and they began their four-day trek.

            Maybe they were so anxious to be reunited with their family and friends they simply forgot to offer an expression of gratitude.

            Or … maybe they were rude and ungrateful just as we imagine or assume that they were.

            We just do not know. So, rather than focus upon the other nine, let us focus upon the one. And let us also focus upon the primary actor in this story … Jesus Christ. This story is more than a story about healing ten men with leprosy. It is a story about the power of God’s grace and mercy.

            Jesus asked about the other nine, but he did not condemn them. He did not undo their healing. He did not withdraw his power.

            Jesus did not discriminate. He did not show favoritism. He healed all ten of the men. He did not say to the Samaritan, “Sorry. Not you.”

            This story is about the ways that Jesus’ ministry opened a new horizon. Jesus displayed that the Kingdom of God is for all people. God’s power extends beyond the established social boundaries. God’s power extends beyond any human distinctions. Jesus Christ, God’s Love Incarnate, came to earth to offer God’s love to ALL people.

            Of course, since this is Thanksgiving Sunday, we should take a few moments to talk about gratitude … giving thanks.

            The Samaritan with leprosy saw that he had been healed, returned to Jesus and fell at his feet thanking him. In that moment he had experienced the amazing love of God. In that moment his isolation had been removed, the barriers had been broken down. In that moment he had been seen as a person … a human being … with his dignity restored. His life had been changed and he fell on his knees in gratitude.

            Luke does not give us any additional information. “Jesus said, ‘Get up and walk. Your faith has made you well.’” (Luke 17:19) Beyond that, we are left to imagine. How did his encounter with Jesus impact his life? How was his gratitude made manifest when he returned to his community?

            As we gather here today, and as we gather for Thanksgiving celebrations this week, we should stop and consider, ‘How do we respond in gratitude? Do our encounters with Jesus impact our lives?’

            Several weeks ago, we hosted the United Church of Christ York Association ‘Fall Fiesta.’ Our speaker was Maria Elena from Daisie’s Children in Honduras. She came to give us an update on their powerful ministry feeding and educating the children in their village and to offer thanks for all of our support. What most people did not see was that before the service, she fell to her knees here on this chancel and prayed … and wept. I did not interrupt her. And I heard her say over and over again, “Gracias … Gracias … Gracias.” She was thanking God for all that God had done for her and for the children.

            In the same way that that Samaritan man did all those centuries ago, she fell on her knees and prayed a prayer of thanksgiving. “Gracias a Dios. Gracias a Dios. Gracias a Dios.” “Thanks be to God.”

            We all display our gratitude in our own unique and personal ways. Some of you may fall on your knees in prayer. Others may clap, or cheer. Others of you may be more reserved and respond in silent reverence. It really does not matter the manner in which we respond in gratitude. There is no one method. There is not a specified formula. You are what you are. You do what you do. What DOES matter is that we DO it. Be grateful for what we have received. Give thanks to God for the amazing gifts of God’s love and mercy.

            When I was reading in preparation for this morning’s message, I came across an article written by Reverend David Lose, Senior Pastor at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the article he shared the story of an interaction that he had with one of his colleagues. He offered her the typical greeting that most of us offer to one another, “How are you?” But she responded in a way that stopped him. She said, “I am grateful.” She did not say, “okay,” “Fine,” or “God.” She said, “I am grateful.”

            He went on to say that she responds in that manner to make a point. She is grateful for the blessings that she has received, and she is grateful no matter what. She chooses to be grateful rather than angry, or disappointed, or resentful. She chooses gratitude.

            Let us choose gratitude as well. Let us give thanks in all circumstances. Let us give thanks in all things. And may gratitude open the door for kindness and generosity. May gratitude be made manifest in the things that we say and the things that we do.

            May we GIVE thanks. And may we LIVE thanks. Amen.

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