SAINT MARTIN OF TOURS, BISHOP (MEMORIAL)

Stand up and go. 

In the Gospels (Luke 17:11-19), we often see a theme of rest—sitting at Jesus’ feet, soaking in his teaching, finding peace in him. But not today. There is a lot of “going” and not a lot of “resting” in this story of healing. Jesus is going to Jerusalem; ten lepers go to the priests; one grateful healed leper goes back to Jesus; and Jesus responds with a command to go. All of this movement can help us see how our Christian life involves going to Jesus and then going out on mission:

• Jesus was on a mission from his Father when he met ten lepers: he was heading for Jerusalem, where he would begin his passion. By stopping to heal them, he revealed the Father’s compassion. The “big story” of salvation is not so big that our struggles become insignificant. God is always interested in our lives.

• The lepers set off for the priests. It’s likely that they had already tried every possible remedy; now they obeyed Jesus and went to present themselves to the priests. Once they realized they were healed, nine of them continued on. They were doing what Jesus said—getting their certificate of health and starting their lives as soon as possible. Our first steps need to be steps of obedience to do what Jesus tells us to do.

• But there was deeper movement in the one fellow who returned to Jesus. Filled with gratitude for his healing, he decided to go back; he saw his healing as an invitation to draw closer to Jesus. Every time Jesus works in our lives, he is inviting us to come to him, to bow before him in love and gratitude. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can learn to hear that summons.

• Finally, Jesus gave the man a mission: he didn’t just say, “Your faith has saved you” but also “Stand up and go” (Luke 17:19). Once we have gone to Jesus with our needs and received his healing or mercy, he tells us to go out and share what we have received.

Imagine yourself in this pattern of “going.” How do you need to go to Jesus? Where might he be sending you today?

“Lord, let me journey with you. I believe you are present in the going.”

Luke 17:11-19
Titus 3:1-7
Psalm 23:1-6

WORD AMONG US