V.
Below is the week’s reading from Luke and links to the two readings from Leviticus –

Luke 17:11-19 (NRSV)

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

Leviticus 13:45-46
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+13%3A45-46&version=NRSV

Leviticus 14:1-32
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=leviticus+14%3A1-32&version=NRSV

VI.
In Leviticus 13 we read that the person with this type of skin disease “… shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease; he is unclean. He shall live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.” (Leviticus 13:46) And not only is he “unclean” he must “cry out, “Unclean, unclean” (Leviticus 13:45) so all those in hearing range know not to be near him.

This person is not only excluded from life in the community they must make sure they exclude themselves from the community by always announcing their status as “unclean.”

V.
Ten such persons approach Jesus but keep some distance from Jesus and ask for mercy.

Does Jesus show them mercy? If so, how does he do that?

We read that Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests. Are they sent on their way before they are made clean, and only notice it as they journey towards the priests or does their status as unclean change to clean as they journey?
Does their journey point them not only to the priests but also to their restoration to community life?

To the one person who returns to bow before Jesus and thank him, Jesus tells him, “Get up and go on your way …” (Luke 7:19)

What is his way to be? To the priests? To community?

We hear Jesus tell him, “… your faith has made you well.” (Luke 7:19)

What has faith done for this one and where will it take him?

Charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}