Weekly Liturgy : October 6-12
- Monica
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
Luke 17:11-19
CSB Translation
While traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men with leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
When he saw them, he told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were cleansed.
But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at his feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan.
Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And he told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.”
REFLECTION
from Monica
Along his way, Jesus meets a group of lepers bound not by ethnicity or race, but by shared rejection. Partly out of survival, they have found “social solidarity.”
Upon crying out to Rabbi Jesus, these ten get their answer, a directive. In their turning to do the thing, the healing comes; ninety percent continue along the well-worn path toward reintegration into the old system (priestly approval; societal structures of in + out, clean + unclean)... an 'acceptable’ solidarity indeed.
Only one, a foreigner, a classic outsider, stops in his tracks, perceptive to the far-greater-thing that is happening. He returns to Jesus in gratitude and worship. Not just as a healed human, but as one awakened to freedom. He has broken free from the gravitational pull of religious systems and social norms.
Jesus sees this and names it: this man has not just been cleansed, but saved. His faith has made him whole, bringing life... a new kind of life.
May we choose to stop and turn in the middle of what we thought we were looking for. May we be folks who hear and respond to an invitation to break free from systems of oppression, for ourselves and for the sake of our neighbor. Returning to the feet and arms, the body indeed, of our Friend Jesus.
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
This week, practice noticing the people around you... their needs or challenges. Ask yourself: “What is one way I can help them express what they hope for?”
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
This week, when you feel the pull to react or escalate, pause to name any feelings or needs under the surface.
Pathways toward Centeredness
Sensation: Experiencing our physical senses and imagination.
Take a walk outside this week. On a quieter section, take out your earbuds. As you feel / hear your feet falling, left – right – left – right, allow yourself to be fully present in the simple movement, the here and now. See what else you notice or feel.
Questions for Reflection
What comes to mind for you when you read this interaction with Jesus? Is there a word or phrase that “shimmers” on the page? Spend some time with that.
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
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