Preaching Paths 12 October 2025 Proper 23C

Sally A Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary

In today’s gospel lection, Luke 17:11-19, we find Jesus traveling the borderland between Galilee and Samaria, a region many Jewish travelers avoided, owing to the deep animosity between Jews and Samaritans. Unsurprisingly, ten men made ritually “unclean” because of skin disease chose to take refuge there. Many translations call them “lepers;” but this label was used for a vast range of skin disorders. (Hansen’s disease was actually rather rare.)  At a distance, the ten recognize Jesus and cry out to him for mercy. They may have had only alms in mind; but Jesus directs them to go and present themselves to the priest. Any Jew recovered from skin disease had to do this and offer appropriate sacrifices to be declared “clean.” Suddenly, one of the ten turns around. While the others hasten away, this one man rushes back to Jesus, falls prostrate at his feet, and thanks Jesus profusely. He is a Samaritan. Jesus says, “Get up; go your way. Your faith has saved you.” The verb here indicates that this Samaritan is not only cleansed; he is made whole in every way—spiritually, as well as physically.

It is unclear to whom Jesus speaks when he asks, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Were none found to return and give thanks, except this Samaritan?” Here, as in the parable of the “good Samaritan,” Jesus contrasts the faithful action of a Samaritan with the behavior of law-keeping Jews. Alert preachers will resist any temptation to denigrate Jewish identity or spiritual sincerity. Today’s text is best understood when we read it against the backdrop of the gospel as a whole. Luke indeed emphasizes Jesus’ concern for the marginalized, including non-Jews; yet opens his gospel with the songs of Zechariah (1:67-79) and Mary (1:46-55), which celebrate God’s promise-keeping faithfulness to Israel, as well as to Gentiles. When Jesus is presented in the Temple, Simeon declares that this child will bring salvation for all and “glory for [God’s] people Israel” (2:29-32). Here in ch 17, Jesus validates the faith of a Samaritan, challenging fellow Israelites to recognize, as he does, that Jesus’ mission of teaching and healing represents the very presence and reign of God.

Homiletically, three approaches to this text are promising. First, how does this text speak to us if we find our place in the story alongside those to whom Jesus addresses his three questions? Jesus raises questions about gratitude—its presence or lack—that are still pertinent today. What would it look like to live lives motivated neither by a sense of entitlement, nor by envy of others’ advantages, but by gratitude? Second, a sermon might trace points of connection between the Samaritan’s gratitude (“eucharist”) and Christian worship. In our weekly “eucharist,” we 1) recognize God’s holy presence; 2) pray for God’s mercy; 3) give thanks for God’s care amid the vicissitudes of life; 4) receive in bread and cup the healing, liberating power of God poured out in Christ; and 5) “get up and go our way,” seeing the world afresh as the arena where God continues to cleanse, heal, and liberate. Third, one might focus on Jesus’ relationship with the Samaritan. In general, Jews deplored Samaritan beliefs and worship; yet Jesus neither criticizes nor corrects this faithful man. At times, we treat others’ beliefs with disdain. Perhaps we should spend less time analyzing others’ heresies, and more time  praying that they will be drawn deeper into the expansive love of Jesus. Jesus knows every heart. God is at work in surprising ways and unexpected places, that all of us shall one day be made whole.