Sermon: "The Saving Act of Gratitude"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

[This sermon by Bishop vonRosenberg was delivered using the following notes.]

Let's consider the lepers that we read about in Jesus' parable this morning. They, of course, represent the outcasts, the untouchables, in Jesus' world. Yet, even in their isolation and their unusual circumstances, we can probably recognize some actions and reactions that are all too typically human.

The story that we have in St. Luke's Gospel really presents us with a quick presentation. We could speculate on all sorts of things that may have been omitted from the sequence of events there, but let's just stick to the story as we have it.

First, ten lepers approach Jesus. They know that they have a disease and that this disease makes them outcasts in their society and in their religion as well. Further, they think that Jesus, as a healer, might help them. So, they ask for his help.

Next, Jesus responds by instructing the lepers to go present themselves to the priests of the Temple. You see, this was the normal procedure when a leper was cured. That is, the person who was known to be unclean - in terms of the religious laws - had to be registered as having been cured … and, therefore, clean once again. The lepers, then, follow Jesus' direction and head for the Temple. And, the text tells us that they are cured as they begin that journey. It's important to realize that all ten of them are following Jesus' direction and that all ten are cured.

However, next we get the distinction in the story. One of the former lepers goes back to Jesus and thanks him … but only one. In the text, Jesus seems surprised that only one leper has returned to express thanks. Then Jesus concludes this passage with some words to the one leper that seem strange, at first glance: "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well"(Lk 17:19). I say that seems strange because, actually, all ten lepers had been made well. However, the verb in the Greek sentence actually is stronger than simply being cured. It means, more accurately, "Your faith has saved you." Therefore, Jesus does indeed mean that this person has been cured. But, in the case of this one leper, Jesus means more than only that. You see, what has happened to that leper involves both body and soul … not just one or the other, but both.

What indications do we have from this little story about the secret of health for a whole person - that is, involving both physical health and spiritual health? We have in this passage the affirmation that Jesus does heal people of bodily infirmities. All ten of the lepers were living testimonies to that power. However, the distinction of the one leper provides the key to understanding the story at a deeper level. That one was healed in body and in spirit. There was a wholeness to him, involving his response to Jesus, that the other nine did not experience.

I want to suggest to you today that this story from our Lord indicates something very basic and, at the same time, very profound about human experience. It is this: there is power in giving thanks. The very act of thanksgiving has the power to transform the thankful one. Some among us this morning will present themselves for confirmation. They do so with thanks for what God has accomplished in their lives. Then, all of us will take part in the part of our liturgy known as "The Great Thanksgiving." We will remember, with thanks, the saving action of God in Jesus Christ.

Thus, when we offer thanks, we give recognition where it is due. We indicate that we cannot make it alone in this world. We depend on others, who are also God's children, as we are. And when we do that - when we give thanks for what someone else has done - then we ourselves are transformed. We acknowledge, with gratitude, that we are parts of the family of God.

In Jesus' story this morning, there were ten lepers who were cleansed. All ten of them were healed of their disease, and every one of them was filled with joy about that healing. However, only one went back and gave thanks. Only one was filled also with thanksgiving. Only one was truly transformed because only one heard Jesus say, "Your faith has saved you." Amen.

Copyright © 2007 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee