9781644135945

The Time After Pentecost
Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, grant unto us an increase of faith, hope, and charity; and that we
may obtain what Thou dost promise, make us love that which Thou dost command. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Friday
“We account a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the law” (Rom 3:28). The only
way of justification is through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. “He that believeth and is
baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be condemned” (Mk 16:16).
“Go, show yourselves to the priests” (Gospel). The Mosaic law ordained that whoever was healed
of leprosy must show himself to the priest. The priest, by virtue of his authority, confirmed the
fact that the afflicted person had been cured of the dreaded disease. The lepers in the Gospel,
therefore, betake themselves to a nearby town in search of a priest in order to have their cure
verified. Nine of the ten show themselves to the priest, thus fulfilling the commands of the
Mosaic law. Believing that they owe their healing to the works of this law, they do not even
think of returning to the Lord to thank Him. Here we have proof of the tragic delusion and
blindness of the people of Israel, who believed that the works, sacrifices, washings, and prayers
commanded by the law of Moses “could give life” (Epistle). It is a delusion to believe that the
life of grace and true salvation can come from anyone or anything but faith in Christ Jesus. We
meet the same blindness and delusion in those who rely on merely native talents and natural
strength and efforts, believing that they need no supernatural help through faith in Jesus Christ,
the Son of God. “If there had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have
been by the law. But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by the faith
of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe” (Epistle). “He that believeth not, shall be
condemned.” There is no salvation but in Jesus Christ. “For there is no other name under heaven
given to man whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
“One of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back with a loud voice glorifying
God; and he fell on his face before His feet, giving thanks” (Gospel). He does not go to the
priests, for he understands that he does not owe his healing to the works of the law or his own
endeavors. He believes in Jesus, who commands him: “Arise, go thy way, for thy faith hath made
thee whole.” Having become aware of the fact that he has been cleansed, he went back “with a
loud voice glorifying God; and . . . giving thanks.” To the liturgy this man is the type of those
who believe and to whom has been given “the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ” (Epistle).
To them the Lord gives the promise: “Thy faith hath made thee whole.” To them, however, that
rely on the works of the law, on merely human efforts, expecting salvation from natural powers,
the fearful word is said: “He that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God
abideth on him” ( Jn 3:36).
What the Gospel relates about the ten lepers is to the liturgy a categorical: “without
faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6). “He that believeth in the Son, hath life
everlasting; but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God
abideth on him” ( Jn 3:36).
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