Christ with the Grateful Samaritan Leper
St. Andrew's Church, Buckland, UK, 20th century

My dear friends,

Today, let us ponder upon a deeply moving passage from the Christian sacred text, Luke 17:11-19. While the story is deeply rooted in the Christian tradition, its universal values transcend the boundaries of any one religion, speaking to the shared human experience of gratitude, compassion, and interconnectedness.

Gratitude is not a mere sentiment: it can be a transformative force. It has the power to soften the heart, open the mind, and create a space where great love can flourish. In this story, the act of Jesus healing ten lepers illustrates the immeasurable compassion that can be directed towards those in need. The lepers, marginalized and shunned by society, called out for mercy and were met with a love that transcended social divides.

However, it was the single Samaritan, a foreigner in that land, who recognized and acted upon a profound gratitude for the kindness shown to him. In turning back to offer thanks, he not only acknowledged the gift of healing but deeply internalized it, letting it permeate his entire being. In that moment, he exemplified the essence of gratitude, understanding the depth of kindness he had received and feeling an innate desire to reciprocate.

Within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, gratitude is viewed as a foundational element for the development of immeasurable love – a love that aspires to repay the kindness of others. This love is the first step towards Bodhicitta, the Awakening Mind. A Bodhisattva, moved by this profound love and compassion, seeks to alleviate the suffering of all sentient beings and guide them towards enlightenment.

Jesus' words, "your faith has made you well," alludes to a deeper truth. While the physical healing of leprosy was a miraculous event, the true healing was the awakening of the Samaritan's heart – a heart filled with gratitude, love, and a deep faith.

So, what can we learn from this? Gratitude, when genuinely felt and acted upon, can be the beginning of a transformative journey. It is a journey that moves from personal healing to the aspiration to bring healing and joy to the world. In each act of kindness we receive, and in every act of gratitude we express, we are taking steps on this path.

Let us strive to be like the Samaritan, always recognizing the kindness around us and seeking ways to give back, for it is through this process that our hearts and minds can awaken to their fullest potential. Let our gratitude be the seed, and our love and compassion the fruits that nourish the world.

May all beings find true peace, happiness, and enlightenment.