If you wish, you can make me clean

 

Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear of one of many healings of someone with leprosy. This person had a great deal of courage in approaching our Lord to be healed. Back during the time of the Lord, lepers were to separate themselves from society in order for others not to catch their disease. Anyone touching a leper would be considered unclean and have to separate themselves from society as well. So, being a leper was a lonely life away from family and friends. This leper was desperate to get some relief and be healed. He heard of all the stories of Jesus’ healing power and went to the Lord, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”

Then Jesus’, amazingly, touches the leper to heal him. The Lord could just spoken the words of healing. He could have just gave the command, “Be healed” and the leper would have been healed. But Jesus saw the need to touch the leper. He knew the leper was desperate for a human touch. So, the Lord reached out, touched him, and healed him.

Overjoyed, the leper, instead of going to the priests to prove he was healed, went and started sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. He was so overjoyed to be part of society and to be healed thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ.

In our own lives the Lord has answered many of our prayers, maybe not as dramatically as being cured from some horrible disease like leprosy. But the Lord is always present in our lives, answering our prayers in many smaller ways. As a result, we too are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Jeus is available for all of us, and we are called to share the good news that Jesus is Lord and Savior.

Further, if we are going through any sort of problem or issue that causes us worry, or if we have a health issue, like the man in the gospel, turn to Jesus in prayer and ask Jesus to enter into the situation to heal us of the worry or health issue we are facing. Jesus, in is own way, will answer your prayer in a way that’s best for you and your situation. Jesus will always answer our prayer and be present to us in all our needs.

Lord Jesus, please grant us the healing that we need so that we can proclaim to others that you are Lord and Messiah.