Made Clean

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.” Luke 17:11-19 

Made Clean

Gracious Creator you make us whole

you cleanse the earth with winter's snow

you ache to heal this planet from hate

yet we cling to anger and are not grateful.

You met ten lepers along the road

they kept the needed distance and begged

asking to be healed from their disease

and you made them clean and sent them on.

Only one returned to give you thanks

he was a stranger and a despised foreigner

his gentle faith had made him whole

taken away the blight of a horrifying sickness.

Help us to be grateful like the Samaritan

make us whole so we can serve others

in this time of rampant fear and disease

let us run to you with thankful hearts. Amen.