From the Gospel lesson for Tuesday in the week of Trinity Sunday
Luke 17
11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee.
12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance,
13 they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean.

Karl was a priest I knew. I met him nearly 40 years ago when I returned to Las Vegas as an adult and decided to attend the Episcopal Church parish nearest where I ended up living. He became my friend and mentor; he was one of the clergy who presided at my wedding; he and his wife were my son’s first babysitters; he shepherded me through the ordination process, presented me for ordination to both the diaconate and the priesthood; he gave me my first job as a clergy person and defended me when parishioners complained about my pastoral style. Most of what I know about being a parish priest I learned from him. The story of the ten lepers and their healing “as they went” was one of his favorites. The journey, being on the way, was his favorite metaphor for the spiritual life and the Christian faith. Arrival isn’t important, but moving along, going forward, being healed as we go, that is. That’s what it’s all about.