Gospel: Luke 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus passed through Samaria and Galilee, and as he entered a village, ten lepers came to meet him. Keeping their distance, they called to him, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” Jesus said to them, “Go, and show yourselves to the priests.” Then, as they went on their way, they found they were cured. One of them, as soon as he saw that he was cleansed, turned back, praising God in a loud voice; and throwing himself on his face before Jesus, he gave him thanks. This man was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked him, “Were not all ten healed? Where are the other nine? Did none of them decide to return and give praise to God, but this foreigner?” And Jesus said to him, “Stand up and go your way; your faith has saved you.”
Reflection:
"God will judge our use of authority."
“May they all be one,” said Jesus (Jn 17:21). Sadly, the unity of the Church is damaged by division and the divisions have damaged our common witness to Christ in the world. Josaphat died for his effort to achieve greater unity. Josaphat grew up in a Lithuanian province which was then part of the Kingdom of Poland. He was ethnically a Ruthenian, a group which followed the Byzantine Orthodox faith. Union with Rome was a major issue at the time and seven bishops signed a decree which allowed them to retain their Eastern rites, but in union with Rome. Josaphat made his profession of faith in this union and became a monk. As a priest he made tours of preaching and cared for the homeless. He also collected writings of the early Church Fathers under the title “A Defense of Church Unity.” All of this led him to being made Archbishop of Plock. In 1623, while visiting Belarus, he was brutally murdered by members of a mob who were against the union. However, his murderers eventually repented and converted. Wisdom says God will judge our use of authority. We pray for all who lead the Church, that they might strive for the unity for which Christ prayed.
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