One out of nine came back. When he realized he was healed, he turned toward Jesus Christ and gave thanks. The other eight kept going and went on with their life. Drastically transformed, and I am certain they were all thankful and overwhelmed with joy and relief.
Jesus had given them life and community and the ability to be with other people and not rejected or treated like an unclean outcast.
But one turned back. Repentance is a turning back also. So, we can see the one Samaritan turning back was a model for you and me. Gods’ blessings come upon all people good and bad, faithful and unfaithful. But for those who have faith, special blessings are given for the very nature of being faithful draws us closer to God.
Our closeness with God is a direct influence of how much internal peace we have, how joyful we see our world and our yearning to be closer still. The ninth person healed was seeking to be closer to Jesus for he recognized all good things were within this Messiah and he sought to be closer.
I wonder if one in nine is the same ratio as those who call themselves followers and believers in Christ. All baptized Christians receive anointing and are brought into the family of God. They are now children of God. They are healed of their sin. The next step is to grow closer to Jesus Christ by prayer and worship and study.
Men and women in all facets of their life whether it is work or hobbies or playing a musical instrument or sport know that you must spend time learning more, practicing, and focusing to be better at work or playing music or any human endeavor. Why would we not take that same approach to our faith?
For many people the only time they read the scripture is when they hear it in church. Yet the bible is our instruction manual and the more we study it and the teachings of the church, the closer we will grow to Jesus Christ.
One in nine turned toward Jesus to thank him. He was blessed much more than the eight were.
When we continue and develop a full spiritual life around Jesus Christ everything changes. We appreciate all moments in life more. The sunrise, the people around us. Our love for others is deeper and richer too, as it is a love reflecting the love Jesus has for us. It is empowered and strengthened by divine love.
Even struggles are better because we see everything around us as temporary. Good times and bad. The blessings for those that seek Jesus as mature adults in a purposeful way are immeasurable and unrealized by those that do not actively seek a closer relationship. We have a choice to be one of the eight of the ninth.
We can do this by praying each day until two things happen. First, that prayer becomes a necessary part of our day. We start each day and end each day with prayers on our lips. And we will know we are praying enough when we get lost in our prayers and transition to checking off a box to finding we are reluctant to stop.
We also need to read the scriptures and meditate daily on his words. What do they mean and what does it mean to me? Ask the Holy Spirit to be with you and guide you. As the scriptures become part of your day you become infused with the spirit of God and can more clearly see the path God has for your life. The plan he has had in place for you since before you were born. And the person who turns to Jesus as the ninth healed Samaritan did with thanksgiving and humbleness, will find blessings and sorrows are both forming us to be the holy person we were called to be.
Today is Thanksgiving Day and we have so many blessings to be thankful for. But the greatest is that our God came down to be one of us so we could lift up our life to be holy and blessed and with the grace of faith find a path to our home in heaven.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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