SAINT LEO THE GREAT, POPE AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (MEMORIAL)

One of them . . . fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. 

At an ATM, we insert our card, punch in the PIN number, select what we want, and voilà, cash is dispensed. Swift, efficient, uncomplicated. Wouldn’t you like your interactions with God to be like that too? Just acknowledge him, ask for what you need, follow his instructions, and voilà, divine solutions are dispensed!

But Jesus is something far more, far better, than a “blessing machine.” And he wants something far more for us. He does heal and provide for us—but above all, he wants to save us and make us whole (Luke 17:19).

In today’s Gospel (Luke 17:11-19), all ten lepers began with some measure of faith, and all ten were miraculously healed. Yet only one—a Samaritan—came back to thank Jesus. So however small his faith was, it was growing, and it drove him to worship. He bowed down before Jesus and glorified God. Imagine his words: “Jesus, thank you! Thank you for having mercy and healing me!”

Whatever the man said, he proclaimed his faith in Jesus’ power to heal, because Jesus responded, “Your faith has saved you,” a word that means “made whole” (Luke 17:19, emphasis added). Because this man returned to worship God and express his gratitude, he received the wholeness that Jesus wanted for all ten. He was healed in spirit as well as in body—something better even than being healed of leprosy!

You may have many needs and desires. Jesus cares about them all, but what he most cares about is to make you whole: filled with faith, freed from sin, and confident in God’s love. He wants you to live with him forever.

That can happen as your faith, whatever size it is, expresses itself in worship. Your worship opens your heart to God’s power to heal and restore. And it begins with simple words of gratitude.

Fall at the feet of Jesus today and thank him for one thing he has done for you. Thank him for his mercy, and then worship him.

“Jesus, thank you for caring so deeply about me. I worship you with all my heart!”

Wisdom 6:1-11
Psalm 82:3-4, 6-7
Luke 17:11-19