November 11, 2026
Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
Readings for Today
Readings for Wednesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. Luke 17:11–14
According to the Law of Moses, lepers were declared ritually unclean and required to live apart from the community. They had to wear torn clothing, leave their hair disheveled, cover the lower part of their face, and cry out “Unclean! Unclean!” whenever anyone approached (cf. Leviticus 13:45–46). This separation prevented the spread of disease and maintained ritual purity among the people of Israel. Lepers endured profound social isolation, spiritual alienation, and personal suffering, making their condition one of the most tragic and symbolic representations of sin and its consequences in the Bible.
The lepers in today’s Gospel met Jesus as He was entering a village they were not permitted to enter. They lived on the outskirts, likely with others who shared their condition. Spiritually, they symbolize each of us. If we can humbly recognize ourselves in them, we will more readily embrace the lesson they offer.
In our current state, our souls are spiritually disfigured due to fallen human nature and personal sin. This world is, symbolically, on the outskirts of the Kingdom of God—a place from which we are barred until cleansed by grace. These lepers show us the path to that cleansing. First, they teach us to recognize our need and then to turn to Christ with confident hope in His mercy, that we may be restored to full communion with God and the saints.
Ten cried out from a distance, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” Though Scripture doesn’t say if these were the only lepers near that village, it’s possible others remained silent. If so, these ten who did cry out stand for those who humbly acknowledge their misery, fallenness, isolation from God’s Kingdom, and trust in Christ’s saving power.
Similarly, we must remember that this world is not our true home. With our first parents, we were cast out from Paradise because of Original Sin. Only through the mercy of Christ can we be restored. Recognizing our exile and its cause is the first step toward healing. If we do not acknowledge our spiritual leprosy, we will not cry out for the only cure: Jesus’ mercy.
One beautiful aspect of this story is that it reveals a second, deeper level of spiritual healing. The ten who cried out and were healed represent those who are baptized and remain in a state of grace, either by avoiding mortal sin or by being restored through sacramental confession and absolution. Yet only one, upon realizing he was healed, returned to give thanks to Jesus. The other nine did not.
The fact that only one returned suggests that most of us are best represented by the other nine. Just as an immature child expects his parents to feed and care for him, so we often expect God to forgive and restore us without giving proper thanks. If that is the extent of our spiritual lives, we remain immature. To grow into spiritual maturity, we must also grow in gratitude by continually returning to God in prayer, glorifying Him in a loud voice, and falling at Jesus’ feet in adoration. Only then will we receive a deeper healing and a greater share in God’s mercy.
Reflect today on the lepers’ cry for mercy, and ask yourself whether you recognize your own need for healing. Are you willing to admit your spiritual wounds, to cry out to Jesus, and to persevere in gratitude? If so, are you among the nine who took God’s mercy for granted and failed to express proper gratitude for the gift of spiritual cleansing and restoration? Strive to be like the one who returned to Jesus, humble, grateful, and filled with faith. Fall at the feet of Jesus in adoration, give thanks for all He has done, and hear Him say to you, “Your faith has saved you.”
Most generous Lord, Your mercy is endless and freely given in superabundance. Despite Your goodness, I often take You for granted and fail to offer the gratitude and humble worship You deserve. Please have mercy on me now and always. Remove every sense of self-entitlement, that I may always return to You, fall before You, and express my most humble and sincere thanks to You. Jesus, I trust in You.
Saint of the Day – Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
Scripture Meditations for Ordinary Time
