Vigils Reading – 28th Sunday

THE CRY OF THE HEART

From a commentary by Bruno of Segni

◊◊◊

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus passed through the border between

Samaria and Galilee, and when he entered one of the villages ten lepers came to

meet him. What do these ten lepers stand for if not the sum total of all sinners?

When Christ the Lord came not all men and women were leprous in body, but in

soul they were, and to have a soul full of leprosy is much worse than to have a

leprous body.

But let us see what happened next. Standing a long way off they called out

to him: “Jesus, Master. Take pity on us.” They stood a long way off because no

one in their condition dared come too close. We stand a long way off too while

we continue in sin. To be restored to health and cured of the leprosy of sin, we

also must cry out: “Jesus, Master, take pity on us.” That cry, however, must

come not from our lips but from our heart, for the cry of the heart is louder: it

pierces the heavens, rising up to the very throne of God.

When Jesus saw the lepers he told them to go and show themselves to the

priests. God has only to look at people to be filled with compassion. He pitied

these lepers as soon as he saw them, and sent them to the priests not to be

cleansed by them, but to be pronounced clean.

And as soon as they went they were cleansed. Let all sinners listen to this

and try to understand it. It is easy for the Lord to forgive sins. Sinners have often

been forgiven before they come to a priest. In fact their repentance and healing

occur simultaneously: at the very moment of their conversion they pass from

death to life. Let them understand, however, what this conversion means, let

them understand the Lord’s words: Return to me with all your heart, with

fasting, weeping and mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.

To be really converted one must be converted inwardly, in one’s heart, for a

humbled contrite heart God will not spurn.

One of them, when he saw that he was cured, went back again, praising

God at the top of his voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.

Now this man was a Samaritan. He stands for all those who, after their

cleansing by the waters of baptism or healing by the sacrament of penance,

renounce the devil and take Christ as their model, following him with praise,

adoration and thanksgiving, and nevermore abandoning his service.

And Jesus said to him: “Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved

you.” Great therefore is the power of faith. Without it, as the Apostle says, it is

impossible to please God. Abraham believed God and because of this God

regarded him as righteous. Faith saves, faith justifies, faith heals both body and

soul.