January 11, 2018

Gospel: Mk 1:40-45
A leper came to Jesus and begged him, “If you want to, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do want to; be clean.” The leprosy left the man at once and he was made clean. As Jesus sent the man away, he sternly warned him, “Don’t tell anyone about this, but go and show yourself to the priest; and for the cleansing, bring the offering ordered by Moses; in this way, you will give to them your testimony.” However, as soon as the man went out, he began spreading the news everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter any town. But even though he stayed in the rural areas, people came to him from everywhere.

Reflections
I DO WANT TO: BE CLEAN
Pope Francis said in a homily that God is not tired of forgiving, it is human beings who have stopped asking for forgiveness. The cure of the leper in the Gospel, although it was a real event, can also be a symbol of the curing of spiritual disease. We all are sinners and are in need of forgiveness. There are some people who sincerely want to overcome some character defects like addiction, etc., but seem to be helpless in overcoming their spiritual sickness. Even St. Paul said that he was begging God to relieve him
of a “thorn in the flesh”but he was made to suffer it for sometime so that God’s power can be shown in his weakness. But it is a great truth that God wants to cure us as he did the leper. We just have to ask, to pray, to request. Of course if we need human professional help such as a guidance counselor or psychotherapist, we should seek their help. I have a friend who keeps hurting people – in her family, in her work place, in her social circle. And she told me she is aware that she is hurting them but she does not seem to know how to control herself. So I advised her to go for psychological counseling and it seems to be doing her good. But in the last analysis, the permanent and deep healing has to come from God. And let us be assured: HE WANTS TO HEAL US!

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