'Which leper are you?' (Sunday homily)

 Ten lepers were on their way to the Temple. 

The first leper said to the second leper, 

“That Jesus didn’t have much time for us, did he? 

That wasn’t very pastoral!”

“I know,” said the third leper. 

"I wanted to tell him everything he needs to change! 

What about lay involvement?”

The fourth leper said to the fifth leper, 

“Why did she have to bring her kids? 

How was I supposed to talk to Jesus 

with them making all that fuss?” 

The sixth leper said to the seventh leper, 

“I could go back and thank Jesus—

but he knows I’m busy: 

I’m sure Jesus sees the value of sports,

and understands why I need to put my business first.

The seventh leper said to the eighth leper, 

“Look, we’re all OK, but what about that Samaritan! 

Did you see how sloppy his clothes were? 

And what about those tattoos and earrings—

You know he’s one of those types, 

if you know what I mean!”

The eighth leper looked around. 

“It’s not like I’m prejudiced or anything, 

but why don’t they stay with their own kind?

Then the ninth leper spoke up:

“Say . . . where’d that Samaritan go, anyway?”

And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned,

glorifying God in a loud voice;

and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.

Ten lepers walked down the street. Which one are you?