This is a sonnet for Thanksgiving and it is based on the account of Jesus’ healing of the ten lepers from Luke 17:11-19.

The passage reads,

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”

When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.

Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

You may read listen to the sonnet by clicking the play button here.

I raise my voice while bowing in shame;

Cloaked, hiding my face crying, Unclean!

Soiled, bearing the untouchable name.

Not alive, yet not dead, lost in-between.

Mercy heard us, then sent us away

For the priest to declare, clean or defiled?

No sooner we’re healed; we rush to obey,

Be rid of our leprosy, no longer exiled.

But Rabbi, forgive, I did not go but returned

To know what mercy moved you to heal

A Samaritan and leper, defiled yet not spurned

What holy compassion does your cloak conceal?

At your feet, I give all, that I might know and learn

The One I do not dirty, who gives what I cannot earn.

© Randy Edwards 2016