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● ● Psalm ● ● + Luke 17:11-19 ●
Title: Wrongdoing, Mercy, and Restoration
0. Introduction
Many years ago, and for several years in a row, I would go to my friend's house for a reunion the night before Thanksgiving, and noticed that his parents did something that my parents did not do. That is, by Wednesday (the day before Thanksgiving), at five in the afternoon, the table was completely set. Everything was set.
Everything was on the table that it was ready to go. We have to get ready, in advance to signify unity at table. Maybe it's by picking up guests, maybe it's by setting the table. Maybe it's other actions that signify our unity as one family.
Thanksgiving begins even before we sit down to eat. Thanksgiving is also the word, the translation for the word Eucharist. Eucharistia means thanks to God, giving thanks to God.
There is an outline of this homily, un esquema de esta homilia en espanol, in por dentro de la Iglesia en la mesa del medio de la Iglesia. I’d like to conclude this homily also with a prayer of thanksgiving, a prayer after mass that St Thomas Aquinas is known for, and also to talk about how preparing for Thanksgiving is also about restoration, about forgiveness, about being welcomed back.
1. A Family Gathering and an Unexpected Incident
In September, shortly after Labor Day, I traveled to Chicago to attend the funeral Mass of a beloved family member—the sister of my sister-in-law. It was a rare gathering with family members I seldom see, and while it was a serious and sorrowful occasion, it also provided an opportunity to reconnect.
One evening during my visit, an unexpected situation unfolded, offering a lesson in wrongdoing, punishment, recovery, and mercy—an experience that echoed themes found in the Gospel of Luke 17:11-19, where Jesus heals ten lepers.
__ 2. Rules Broken
Several families, including my brother, sister-in-law, and their children, stayed in a house rented through Airbnb. I had arranged to stay in a hotel across town, unaware of the rules governing the Airbnb house. I was also surprised to realize that these rules would become relevant to me!
On the first evening, as we gathered at the house enjoying pizza, we received a startling call from the owner. He informed us that we had violated the terms of the rental AIRBNB agreement. Security cameras revealed we had exceeded the guest limit and someone had brought a dog into the house.
The owner was clear: we had 1 hour to vacate the property. It was 9 pm at night, and we were facing “eviction”.
__ 3. A Selfish Dilemma
As I processed the situation, I realized I was the only one with alternative lodging—a hotel room. My immediate thought was self-centered: I didn’t want to share my space.
Yet, I couldn’t ignore the possibility that my brother’s family might need a place to stay. I began calculating: Would my room have enough space? Was there a pull-out couch? These thoughts revealed the common human tendency to prioritize personal comfort over the needs of others.
Family life, however, calls us to something greater. St. Paul reminds us in Romans 12:15-16:
> *“Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones. Exercise hospitality.”*
Hospitality isn’t always about grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s simply about recognizing the need right in front of us and responding, even when it’s inconvenient.
__ 4. Mercy Granted
The situation seemed hopeless—wrongdoing had occurred, and the consequence was clear: leave the house. But two family members --- who were the bringers of the actual dog– called the house owner, apologize, and pleaded for another chance.
Remarkably, the owner extended mercy. He allowed us to stay, provided we adhered strictly to the rules moving forward.
My brother’s young niece read the conditions aloud from her phone/tablet to everyone at table, much like Moses delivering the commandments to the Israelites.
The crisis was averted. No one had to leave, and I did not have to squeeze five people into a room designed for one.
__ 5. Healing and Restoration
I’d like to connect this experience of being restored to that of the lepers in the Gospel and the experience of sinfulness more generally.
Leprosy in biblical times was more than a physical disease—it symbolized sin and separation from the community. When Jesus healed the lepers, He did more than restore their health; He restored their place in society and their relationships.
Similarly, Jesus offers healing for our deeper wounds—sin and brokenness. These cannot be healed by our efforts alone; we need a Savior.
When we acknowledge our need for healing and turn to Christ, He responds with mercy and restoration.
__ 6. Turning Back to God
In the example of the conflict with the house owner and AIRBNB, it was not just 1 offense that led to the owner’s distress and possible “punishment.”
He had seen how we – his tenants – had ignored 4 voice mails earlier in the day. Then he saw the number of people in the house, then the dog.
Then he sounded the alarm and called us.
This got our attention.
The Christian author, C.S. Lewis wrote that God is also trying to get our attention and that while God whispers to us in our pleasures (in the things we like) He shouts to us in our pain (the things we do not like).
__ 7. Conclusion
You or I might be in pain due to our sins or the sins of others. Jesus did not abandon the men with leprosy, though regular people had.
He welcomes every sinner – everyone of us who comes to him in the confessional for mercy – even if it has been a while.
And even if 9 out of 10 are not turning back and have vacated the premises, you can still be the one who turns back to Jesus to receive his mercy. Your faith in Him will save you.
St. Thomas Aquinas expresses in a ""Prayer After Mass" our own hope for Eternal Life and true communion with our Savior --- as our Lord called it when speaking to His disciples at the Last Supper -- the joy that “no one shall take from you” (John 16:22),
PRAYER: I thank You, Lord, Almighty Father, Everlasting God, for having been pleased, through no merit of mine, but of Your great mercy alone, to feed me, a sinner, and Your unworthy servant, with the precious Body and Blood of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this Holy Communion may not be for my judgment and condemnation, but for my pardon and salvation. Let this Holy Communion be to me an armor of faith and a shield of good will, a cleansing of all vices, and a rooting out of all evil desires. May it increase love and patience, humility and obedience, and all virtues. May it be a firm defense against the evil designs of all my visible and invisible enemies, a perfect quieting of all the desires of soul and body. May this Holy Communion bring about a perfect union with You, the one true God, and at last enable me to reach eternal bliss when You will call me. I pray that You bring me, a sinner, to the indescribable Feast where You, with Your Son and the Holy Spirit, are to Your saints true light, full blessedness, everlasting joy, and perfect happiness. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
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