Friday after Epiphany
In today’s Gospel, I am struck by the story of the man full of leprosy. He sees Jesus coming and falls prostrate and cries out to him, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” It is his faith in Jesus that gives him the courage to cry out to him. Jesus’ response is beautiful for he reaches out and touches him who is unclean and says, “I do will it. Be made clean.” Jesus desires to see him made clean out love for him and not a desire for recognition, which is why he orders him not to tell anyone. This encounter is a good example for us for we are full of the leprosy of sin that separates us from God, doubt that makes us too weak to live out God’s will in our lives, and fear that can paralyze us and prevent us from moving forward in our journey of faith. When we feel crippled by sin, doubt, or fear, and we feel separated from the world and God, we should call out to our beloved Jesus and say, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” We will find that Jesus will reach out his hand to us, take our unclean hand in his, and say, “I do will it. Be made clean.”
Reflection by Br. Placid Dale, OSB
Posted in Articles for Christmas, Daily Reflections