2025-10-12 10:30 am Celebration of the Holy Mass for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Good morning and welcome to the Holy Mass for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Todays Gospel, "Luke 17:11-19" highlights the contrast between the ten lepers who were healed and the one foreigner who returned to give thanks. The passage is a powerful reminder that healing is not the same as salvation, which comes from faith expressed through gratitude. It calls for us to be mindful of how often we take blessings for granted and encourages us to cultivate a heart of thankfulness, not just for physical health but for spiritual gifts as well. The Samaritan's act of returning to glorify God shows that true gratitude involves not just feeling thankful but also demonstrating it through praise and worship, leading to a deeper, more transformative salvation. Key themes and reflections Gratitude as an action: The ten lepers were cleansed, but only one returned to thank Jesus, demonstrating that merely receiving a blessing is not enough; it must be accompanied by a heartfelt expression of thanks to God. Healing vs. salvation: Jesus distinguishes between the physical healing of the ten lepers and the salvation of the one who returned. His words, "Your faith has saved you," suggest a deeper, spiritual healing that goes beyond the physical cleanse and has lasting consequences. The nature of gratitude: The Samaritan's act is a model of authentic gratitude. He returned to glorify God, fell at Jesus' feet, and gave thanks—actions that express humility and full recognition of God's work. The importance of praise: The passage emphasizes praising God, an act that is not limited to any one group or religion. The foreigner, who would have been an outsider to the Jewish community, is the one who shows a more profound response, suggesting that a deep sense of gratitude can be a manifestation of a truly responsive faith. Living a transformed life: The Samaritan's return and worship was an act of faith that led to his being "saved," not just healed. This suggests a life transformed by a deeper understanding of God's grace, impacting every aspect of his being and allowing him to live as a testament to God's glory. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 98: "The Lord has revealed his victory in the sight of the nations."