32nd Week in Ordinary Time (B) : Wednesday 10th November 2021

More will be required from those to whom much has been entrusted. Wisdom is very blunt: the leaders of nations and societies will be called by God to account for how they have governed. Those entrusted with power and responsibility are charged by God to act with impartial justice and compassion. Fancy words and fake news will not help the powerful when they stand before God. This also applies to families, workplaces, schools, and wherever there is human activity. God is the standard by which we will be measured, and God is love.

Jesus healed ten lepers – quite an event – but only one came back rejoicing to thank Jesus and praise God. Are the other nine merely ungrateful? Possibly – but perhaps they had not received the healing to the level of the mind and heart. When we are healed, we have to begin thinking of ourselves differently, which can be difficult and frightening. It is hard to step into a new identity.

The grateful man was a Samaritan – an outsider – and was thrilled to be shown such mercy by God. The graces of God are not limited by any boundaries or labels – neither should our compassion.

Lord, may I never cease to rejoice in Your mercy.