Gospel – Mark 1:40-45
A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said,
“If you wish, you can make me clean.”
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,
touched him, and said to him,
“I do will it. Be made clean.”
The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
Then, warning the him sternly, he dismissed him at once.
He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything,
but go, show yourself to the priest
and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed;
that will be proof for them.”
The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter.
He spread the report abroad
so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.
He remained outside in deserted places,
and people kept coming to him from everywhere.
Reflection on the Gospel
Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
One need of the leper was obvious. He was unclean. Jesus touched him even though he was contagious. It is such good news that the response of Jesus to the man was, “I do will it. Be made clean.” It is the will of Jesus that we are whole and healthy. It is difficult for me to be open about the needs I have that are not as obvious as the man’s leprosy. I know the response of Jesus will be, “I do will it. Be made clean.” It is necessary for me to be honest and open with Jesus and with myself. This is a good opportunity for me to take a personal inventory of my needs and talk to Jesus about them.
St. John Baptist De La Salle – pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – forever.