How many times have we heard, “Life is a journey?” It may sound like a cliché, but there certainly is a truth to it. Our journey through life has a beginning, middle and an end. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “You can’t step in the same river twice.” We don’t have to be a philosopher to understand what he meant: life is always changing. Or, as someone else said, “The only constant in life is change.”
Each of us has had enough life experience to know that indeed, “The only constant in life is change.” The stages of our journey have their unique joys: playing childhood games, graduating from school, falling in love, friendships, parenthood, becoming an uncle or aunt, etc. Each stage presents challenges and setbacks as well: dreams don’t pan out, relationships are strained, divorce and sickness — with resulting limitations on our mobility and independence. Another truth about change along the journey — each stage, whether with joys or setbacks, presents us with opportunities for growth. At certain stages of our journey we might ask, “Where am I now?” The gospel today might speak to our lives, whatever the current stage we are at.
It’s clear at this moment of Luke’s gospel where Jesus’ journey will take him. Luke told us that he, “firmly resolved to proceed towards Jerusalem” (9:51). It is a difficult journey, for he can see what is awaiting him there. Still, he doesn’t hold back, or make detours, because he is going to Jerusalem for us. There are people traveling with him; disciples are learning from him along the way and there are also the merely curious. Just being with Jesus doesn’t automatically make one a disciple. Nor does membership in a church. He asks more of those on the road with him.
As they travel a wandering band of lepers approaches them. The lepers don’t seem to be going anywhere in particular. Where would they go? Where could they go? It doesn’t matter to them — no one wants them. They are outcasts even from their own families. There’s no place for them to go.
The lepers form an interesting group. When people experience a tragedy such as a hurricane, coal mine collapse, multiple shootings, cancer, etc., their common pain often draws once-strangers together. So, in the group of lepers there is a Samaritan along with Jews — traditional enemies — but united in their pain and isolation from family, religion and society.
In many parishes, before the Saturday evening Mass, people wait on line for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They range from the young to the old. Their different manner of dress is a sign of their varied social conditions and backgrounds. Nevertheless, there they stand, their very presence on line, waiting, is a visible acknowledgment that they are sinners. No one gets first place, or goes to the back of the line because of their finances, place of birth, job status, academic degrees etc. Like the diverse lepers they are united by their shared need. Standing together on the line for Reconciliation we admit together that we have sinned and are in need of forgiveness. We do the same thing at the beginning of Mass as together we pray aloud, “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.”
The gospel today encourages us to voice our prayer as simply and directly as the lepers did: “Jesus, Master, have pity on us.” No need for pretense, excuses or false pride to block or alter the request. Bluntly put: “Have pity on us.” We are like the lepers, who did not pray as individuals alone, but as a group in need, “Have pity on us.” We pray for ourselves at today’s liturgy, but that prayer is in the first person plural. So, we pray for those around us in the pews, as well as for the church and world. “Have pity on us.”
When we voice our simple prayer out of need, what do we expect — instant help and healing? Sometimes that’s what happens. But we take a clue from the lepers. Luke tells us, “As they were going they were cleansed.” Places where Jesus does or says something are very important. Luke names the place where the healing occurs. He’s not a cartographer, drawing a first century map for us. He’s an evangelist telling us the good news of the lepers cure, “As they were going, they were cleansed.”
As they journeyed they were made fit for society, family and religious practice. They were no longer outcasts. but now would be welcomed back into the community. Well, the other nine would be readmitted certainly, but not the outcast Samaritan. While all the lepers were healed, Luke tells us, the Samaritan “realized” he had been healed. He turns, leaves the rest and returns to Jesus. He may not be welcomed into the company of the devout and upright Jewish community, but he would be welcomed into Jesus’ company.
The leper realizes that in Jesus God had reached out to heal him and he returns, “glorifying God in a loud voice.” He’s not who he was, he is a new person praising God and giving thanks to Jesus. The other nine were returning to an old way of life; the Samaritan has begun a whole new life. When he fell at the feet of Jesus it was symbolic of his acceptance of Jesus and his choice to follow Jesus’ way.
We are reminded from the experience of the lepers that we travel together. On the way we try to do good, but we know there is more work to be done, not only for others, but for ourselves as well. Today’s gospel assures us that God wants to do healing work for us as we travel. These healings can come in many ways:
-a person who loves us tells us a hard truth we need to hear
-in the course of a long marriage there are opportunities for growth in generosity, patience, forgiveness and humor
-becoming parents we learn to give our lives for others
-counseling helps us heal after a bitter divorce
-a 12 step group enables us to break an addiction
-family and friends help us get through the crushing grief over the death of a loved one
In these and so many other ways, like the lepers, we are healed as we travel. At Mass today we remember those healings and healings-in-progress as we “realize” that Jesus has been their source and we give thanks. Jesus is the presence with us as we journey. He says again to us today, “Your faith has saved you.” Saved us from: feeling alone in moments of need; discouragement when change comes slowly; the fear of rejection when we have sinned; the reluctance to start all over again.
Jerusalem is the end of our journey. We are not there yet, but we are not alone as we travel. With us is a community of believers who, in many ways, reminds us that Jesus is alive and on the road with us, each step of the way.