Your Faith Has Made You Well.

Homily for November 15, 2017.

“Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:17-19.

Ten persons were cleansed but only one was made well. This teaches us the grave importance of gratitude. Until we return to give thanks to God for his many blessings in our lives, we would not be made well; that is, we would only get the full measure of what God plans for us when we give thanks.

Gratitude is a product of Faith. Yes, it takes great Faith to acknowledge that our gifts and blessings in life do not come as a result of our personal efforts and hard work but by the help of God. In fact, our level of faith determines our level of success in life.

Like these ten lepers, are you sick? Is there something bothering you? Why not bring it to God in Faith? In many instances Jesus cured people, he made reference to their Faith as what was responsible for receiving their miracle.

Matthew 9:20-22, “And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well." Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "TAKE HEART, DAUGHTER; YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU WELL." And instantly the woman was made well.”

Mark 10:50-52, “The healing of Blind Bartimaeus… And throwing off his mantle he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Master, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Go your way; YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU WELL." And immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.”

Do I have the kind of Faith that Jesus is looking for?

We all need to take out time today to examine our beliefs. Somehow, we seem to hold on to certain lies and carry them in our system. It is sad to say that some of these lies are fed into our system by the men/women of God we often run to for prayers; lies that make the devil appear like a big thing.

Lies such as: “Your problem is witches and wizards in your village.” “Someone placed a curse on you; that is why things are not working out.” And so on and so on. Believe me today, anyone who tells you the devil is responsible for your circumstances has no Faith in God. Anyone who asks you to sow seed or pay for some special prayers has no solution to your problem but seeks to dupe you in broad day light. It is our faith, not our money that makes us well.

Today we remember St. Albert the Great. He is one of the great intellectuals in the history of the Church. To his name are many eminent works of doctrine and natural science. As a Bishop, St. Albert made great efforts to secure peace between peoples and between cities.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, deepen my Faith. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 32^nd Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Wisdom 6:1-11 and Luke 17:11-19).