Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
2 Kings 5:14-17, 2 Timothy 2: 8-13, Luke 17: 11-19
As the daughter of an NYC police officer, I was troubled two weeks ago when I heard about the shooting death of a 33-year-old cop in the Bronx. As the day progressed, I learned that the Mulkeen family were neighbors of my brother in Monroe and that Officer Brian Mulkeen was a graduate of Monroe Woodbury High School and Fordham University. Sadly, the 27-year-old suspect was also shot and killed. Shootings have become commonplace and so frequent; we are getting numb to the horror of them.
The taking of a life, any life is not of God.
We believe that every life is precious and every breath is a gift.
I have a special sensitivity to NYC police officers (cops) because my father was 20 years “on the job.” In the 1960s and 1970s, much of what police did would now be described as social work and community building rather than the dangerous aspects of police work today. Despite the dangers, Academy classes continue to be competitively filled with men and women who commit “To Protect and Serve.” As I have heard on the TV show “Blue Bloods” many times, folks become cops to help make the world a better place. Many believe it is their calling or mission in life.
Jesus performed many healings throughout the gospels, including raising three people from the dead. He taught us to visit the sick, shelter the homeless, feed the hungry and love our neighbor.
In today’s first reading we hear the story of Naaman, who plunged into the Jordan and was made clean of his leprosy. Then he immediately returns to Elisha with a gift of thanks.
In our Gospel today we hear the familiar story of the ten lepers who met Jesus, cried out to him, and were healed. We know only one of them returned to give thanks to Jesus.
As followers of Jesus, we want to extend ourselves to those in need and share the riches we have been blessed to possess. We give thanks to God daily in our celebration of the Eucharist. Let us also give thanks to those who serve daily to keep us safe and free.
Sister Ellenrita Purcaro, OP
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