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The Season of Lent | Lenten Meditation Booklet
BRING THE CHILDREN TO ME . . .
Matthew 19:14
October 2022
Jesus and the Thankful Leper
Luke 17:11-19
Just like there are exercises that make our bodies feel better, there are also exercises that help us pay attention to God better. One of these “spiritual exercises”
that we can do regularly is worship. Another spiritual exercise that we can do regularly is praying, both on our own and with others. And another spiritual exercise
we can do regularly is giving thanks to God..
It is that exercise of giving thanks that we see in today’s story. In the story, Jesus heals 10 men, each of whom have this awful disease called leprosy. But, after
they are healed, only ONE of the men returns to Jesus to say thank you. Because he returns, Jesus is able to tell him, “Your faith has made you well.” .
The man was already healed, but because he came back to give thanks, then the man was made even better – he went from being healed to being made well..
This is a lot like how exercise by itself can help us feel healthy, but then when we eat well and get lots of sleep as well, then we often feel even better..
When we practice these spiritual exercises of worship, prayer, and giving thanks to God, then we are strengthening our ability to pay attention to God. And, like the
man in today’s story, when we do these exercises, then we are better able to receive the fullness of God’s love and life for us. When we are fully receiving God’s love
and life, then we are even better able to be God’s loving, healthy gifts to those around us.
In the Bible Jesus talked about this very thing when he said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (12:34). The things that are really
important are not the things we have, but the love we feel in our heart. It is love that comes from God and it is ours to give to others.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for Jesus who teaches us about your party,
the Kingdom of God. Please help us live and share your party. Amen
Dates to Remember
● October 2
17th Sunday after Pentecost
Birthday Blessings
Lesson: 2 Timothy 1:1-14 – Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel
● October 9
18th Sunday after Pentecost
Lesson: Luke 17:11-19 – Jesus Heals Ten Men with Leprosy
● October 16
19th Sunday after Pentecost
Lesson: Luke 18:1-8 – The Parable of the Persistent Widow
● October 23
20th Sunday after Pentecost
Lesson: Luke 18:9-14 – The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
● October 30
21st Sunday after Pentecost
Lesson: Luke 19:1-10 - Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
Happy Birthday
October 17 - Ava Keller
October 28 - Corrin King
Squirrel maze
