28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
12th October 2025
Lectionary Readings: 2 Kgs 5:14-17; Ps 98:1,2-3a, 3b-4; 2 Tim 2:8-13; Luke 17:11-19
Theme: Rise and go forward; your faith has delivered you. (Luke 17:19)
“Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?” This iconic line from Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” features the Magic Mirror, a mystical object that invites us to reflect on our true selves. Regardless of our age, this tale resonates deeply with us.
As we engage with the readings of today, let’s consider whether we align more with the Queen, who values only outward beauty, or with the ten lepers in the Gospel of Luke, who demonstrate the importance of inner worth. By exploring the other Sunday readings, we can uncover a profound invitation for our hearts and minds. Naaman’s experience of washing in the Jordan River illustrates a powerful transformation, as “his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean” (cf. 2 Kings 5:14 CSB p 447). This narrative emphasizes the enlightening nature of truth, often emerging from unexpected sources. It reminds us that valuable insights can come from those who are typically overlooked, underscoring the importance of humility and openness to listen, even for those in positions of power.
God embodies the duality of life and death; He heals those afflicted with leprosy while also allowing the condition to arise. His healing grace is freely given, and He responds to those who seek to misuse His power by bringing about defilement. Importantly, this story conveys that healing and grace are accessible to all who put their trust in the God of Israel, regardless of their background. From Naaman’s story, we can learn that the appropriate response to healing and blessings is to express gratitude and worship toward God. In biblical contexts, leprosy often represented divine punishment and a sense of moral impurity. These associations fostered fear and led to the social ostracism of those affected. However, the accounts of leprosy also serve as a reminder of our need for compassion and understanding toward those who may be marginalized. After his healing, Naaman took a significant step by committing to worship the God of Israel alone, vowing never to offer sacrifices to other gods (2 Kings 5:17). His resolution highlights the importance of faithfulness and gratitude in our journey of healing and spiritual growth.
In Psalm 98:1-4 CSB p 799-800, we are called upon to sing a new song to the Lord, celebrating His marvelous deeds, victory, and salvation, which shine forth to all nations and the ends of the earth. The psalmist invites us into joyful praise, reflecting on God’s mercy and faithfulness to Israel, where His triumph is clearly seen. It is solely through God’s work that salvation is accomplished, allowing the entire world to witness His goodness and justice. The psalm may have been inspired by a specific victory over an enemy or the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon (cf. Ezra 2:1 CSB p 549). It unfolds in three beautiful parts: praise for God’s mighty deeds in the past (verses 1-3), acknowledgment of the Lord as the reigning King in the present (verses 4-6), and a heartfelt call on nature to join in worship of the Lord, who will come to set things right in the future (verses 7-9). We are invited to celebrate God with music and instruments, and nature, too, is called to express its worship. These praises anticipate God’s coming judgment and the establishment of His perfect justice (cf. Revelation 20:4 CSB p 1775).
Additionally, St. Paul reminds us that suffering may be unavoidable, yet it becomes inconsequential for those who endure with Christ, for this leads to reigning with Him. In 2 Timothy 2:8-13 CSB p 1693, Paul encourages Timothy to stand firm in hardship for the gospel, which is anchored in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a descendant of David. Let us remember Jesus Christ, the Unbound Word of God, and the endurance for the sake of the elect, as stated in 2 Timothy 2:8-13. The “Faithful Saying” in verses 11-13 captures the essence of our Christian experience and its eternal implications:
Firstly, if we have died with Christ, we will also live with Him; through His death and resurrection, believers embrace a new, eternal life. Secondly, if we endure, we will also reign with Him; steadfastness in trial leads to sharing in His glorious reign. Thirdly, if we deny Him, He will also deny us; such rejection imposes grave eternal consequences. Fourthly, if we are faithless, He remains faithful; His unchanging character as a faithful God is our assurance. This reminder, rooted in the pursuit of faithfulness, inspires us toward perseverance in ministry amidst hardships, focusing on the resurrected Christ, the uncontainable gospel, and the ultimate promise of salvation for those who remain steadfast. Let this be a clarion call for accountability and the seriousness of embracing Christ.
Let’s explore the profound connection of this reading to our Sunday Gospel from Luke, illuminating the themes of faith, gratitude, salvation, and mercy. In Luke 17:11-19 (CSB, p. 1471), genuine faith radiates through obedience, gratitude, and worship. The remarkable story of the thankful Samaritan leper, found only in Luke’s Gospel, presents a powerful example as Jesus lifts a non-Jew (cf. Luke 17:18) to inspire his Jewish contemporaries, echoing the message of the Good Samaritan (cf. Luke 10:33). It is this faith in Jesus, exemplified by the foreigner, that leads to his salvation (cf. Luke 17:19), beautifully illustrating the profound bond between faith and salvation seen in Luke 7:50; 8:48, and 50. The Samaritan leper, an outsider, stands out as the only one who returned to thank Jesus. In doing so, he was told that his faith made him “well” in a deeper, spiritual sense, signifying more than just physical healing. This emphasizes the beauty of thanking God for our blessings. While the nine ungrateful lepers overlooked the opportunity for spiritual wholeness, the thankful Samaritan embraced true spiritual “salvation.” We witness faith in action as all ten lepers obeyed Jesus by going to the priests; yet only one truly demonstrated the essence of faith by returning.
Gratitude as worship is another key theme. The Samaritans’ return and praise reflect a heartfelt expression of true faith. Jesus’s declaration that the Samaritan’s faith has “made him well” signifies spiritual healing and a closer relationship with God. Moreover, the Samaritan highlights Luke’s powerful message that God’s kingdom is inclusive, transcending ethnic and religious boundaries. Ultimately, this story serves as a reminder that true thankfulness is an active pursuit, essential for our spiritual well-being.
Have you ever thought about how we can, at times, be like the Queen who focuses more on outer beauty than inner goodness? It’s easy to get caught up in wanting attention and being the center of attraction, but sometimes we forget to care for others. A big lesson we learn from Jesus is the importance of showing gratitude. Let’s also take a moment to think about the people who might be on the outskirts of our communities those who may feel invisible or unlovable because of how they look or where they come from. Jesus sees and loves them, and He invites us to do the same. We should also reflect on the parts of ourselves that we tend to hide, the parts we may be hesitant to show but truly need the most care. Jesus isn’t afraid to meet us in those vulnerable places. By recognizing Him there, we might discover a fresh sense of grateful love that can heal us.
Consider the lepers who were healed by Jesus but didn’t take the time to say thank you. They received a wonderful gift, but they missed out on the deeper blessing of wholeness. As we celebrate every time the Eucharistic celebration as a Thanksgiving “Sunday Mass Celebration”, let’s be sure to remember our blessings. Don’t let the little things pass you by, and always make time to show your gratitude. And let’s listen for that gentle reminder: “Rise and go forward; your faith has delivered you.”
For Reflection and Discussion: 1. How can we uplift you in prayer? We seek to support you in both physical and spiritual healing. 2. Am I truly aligned with God’s mission and nurturing a genuine faith? I want to reflect on how I express my gratitude. Sometimes, I catch myself not feeling as thankful for God’s blessings, reminding me that I must not take His grace for granted. This insight inspires me to focus more on being thankful.
Bibliography: Donald Senior, ET Al; The Catholic Study Bible 3rd Edition 2010; The New American Bible, Saint Joseph Edition 2011; The Catholic Prayer Bible 1993; Brown R.E; An Introduction to the New Testament 1997 p251; Liddell & Scott’s: Greek-English Lexicon 1889; McKenzie, J.L. Dictionary of the Bible (NewYork:1965);
This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by
Dunhill Malunar Timkang, Jerusalem – Israel, Bat Kol Secretary
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