Lepers were obliged by the law to stay away from people so as not to spread leprosy. Lepers had to live in isolated places and warn anyone who unknowingly got near them that they were unclean (Lv 13:45). The leper of today's Gospel does just the opposite; he approaches Jesus. Jesus also does the unthinkable by stretching out His hand and touching the leper (Mk 1:41).
Jesus is approachable no matter what our condition. Jesus will never reject us no matter who we are, what we've done, or how we look (Jn 6:37). Most people have a form of spiritual leprosy. Inside, many of us feel dirty, ugly, leprous. We would not tell anyone about this for fear of being rejected by everyone. However, we can take these shameful things to Jesus.
We can "come as we are" to Jesus so we don't "stay as we are." He will forgive our sins and heal our leprous condition.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, may I go to Confession as soon as possible and be healed. |
| PROMISE: | "We have become partners of Christ only if we maintain to the end that confidence with which we began." –Heb 3:14 |
| PRAISE: | Jesus instantly healed Rhonda of hip pain at a healing service. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College