After the Healing: The Hard Work of Relationships

 

I wrote this devotional in August, 2013, at a turning point during a year of crisis. 

Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy: Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.  As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?  Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”  Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19 

Today I experienced Jesus’ healing - I remembered to say thank you! But today I also understand the nine reticent lepers a bit better. Maybe the nine did not rush back with thanks to Jesus because they realized this truth: NOW comes the hard part.  Now comes reuniting with family from whom they had been separated; now comes re-integrating into a community where relationships had been broken; now comes forgiving those who shunned and rejected them; now comes recognizing the power and authority of Jesus in their life.

Maybe the nine were comfortably settled as bums in the desert, homeless, hanging out with the guys, no spouses nagging on them, no children or parents making demands on their time and emotions.  Maybe they doubted just a little that Jesus had really brought about their healing, or maybe they feared the return of the disease which they hated, but to which they had become accustomed.  Maybe in the desert they did not have to work the vineyards or lead children’s ministries. Maybe they were excused from synagogue duties, pilgrimages, and making sacrifices.  After the healing - that's when the hard part begins.

When we see healing in abusive relationships, are we not tempted first to feel a bit "Jonah-esque"?  When God relented and showed compassion, Jonah was angry with God at the lack of justice.[1] Is there not a tinge of resentment, a feeling that if our abuser repents and we begin to forgive, then the world will not know how badly we have been treated and the abuser will not face his just desserts?

All ten lepers were healed of physical ailments, but only the Samaritan was credited with “faith.” Why? The nine law-abiding Jews were headed to the temple to show themselves to the priests. But only the Samaritan set aside his fears, shouted out his feelings of joy in front of the whole crowd, and recommitted himself to community and reconciliation. Only the Samaritan began anew a personal relationship with Jesus grounded in thankfulness (eucharistia).  This is the sweet dessert after the healing.

1. Jonah 3:10-4:4