THE TENTH LEPER

By Peter Vuono

   In Luke 17:11 we see ten men afflicted with leprosy approach Jesus. They asked him to have pity on them and to cure them. Jesus said, "Go show yourselves to the priest". On their way, they noticed that they were healed and rejoiced. One stopped- a Samaritan- who was hated by the Jews. He returned to Jesus, fell on his knees and praised Jesus and God in thanks

   Jesus said, "Were not 10 healed? Where are the other nine. Did only this foreigner come back to praise God?" This story has a twofold purpose. It's first to show us that blessings may come our way at any time and that many are sometimes in disguise. However, we should learn to recognize them. The 2nd meaning is that God often uses people to bestow gifts and blessings upon us. We should certainly thank Him but also the persons giving the gift. In this way, it encourages them to continue good works and in turn makes THEM realize how special they really are in being co-pilots to God.

  Too often good deeds are never thanked. We see this all the time. I'd like to relay one such story. Years ago, New Jersey's Scott Bigelow got into wrestling. He was big, strong agile and had a legitimate Black Belt. He wrestled with great success in the 3 biggest wrestling companies of the day. 

   In July of 2000, while coming home from a tour of Japan at 3:30 AM, Bigelow notice a home in flames in his neighborhood. Three children, ages 3,5 and nine were left alone by their mom and managed to start a fire. Bigelow burst into the home and gabbed the children like a grizzly would grab a pumpkin. He ran down the stairs and out of the home to remand the kids to the fire personnel. He was a hero; but not without consequences. He received 2nd degree burns over 40% of his body and would spend 10 days in the hospital.

    Bigelow always fluffed the deed off in various YouTube videos but it was indeed an act of bravery- that no one acknowledged. He had worked for two billionaires and one millionaire and none of these men ever did anything to show recognition. In his later years his health waned. He succumbed to illnesses certainly exacerbated by the ring. It is safe to say, that if his deed was acknowledged then maybe the despair that he must have felt, would have been somewhat softened. He died at age 45.

    I approached the Carnegie Foundation which gives recognition to Bonafide heroes. I was too late as recognition must be given within 3 years of the act of bravery. This story is both tragic and sad but it surely illustrates the importance of Luke 17:11. I taught summer school English for 15 years and one of my assignments was to learn how to write  a " thank you" letter. I sincerely doubt that any of my students continued this assignment after the summer was over but that does not mean that we should abandon the thought.

   Send an E-mail. Write a letter. Send flowers or candy. Go to Dollar Tree and buy the fifty cent card.One of my friends from Germany actually sent a video of thanks to me years ago. It doesn't really matter how one does it. What's important is that you become the tenth leper. 

"Kind words and good deeds are eternal. You never know where their influence will end"- H. Jackson Browne Jr.