A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 5:12-16
It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately. Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.
REFLECTION: “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”
When we pray, do we pray like the leper? Or do we pray conditionally?
Do we touch and show our love to others? Or do we hold our arms tight, afraid of an encounter?
Do we pray in front of the person asking for help or do we promise to pray later?
The power of Christ's human touch along with compassion, consolation and the presence of His Love showed the leper His wholehearted attention to his problems. His touch gave him back his human dignity. His cure took him away from darkness into the light. Jesus gave him the Holy Spirit.
Humbly the leper asked, "Lord, if you wish." And without condition states the obvious, "You can make me clean." And the Lord stretched out His hand and touched him.
It is Jesus' choice and desire to lift us out of our uncleanness and make our healing possible. Always ask Him for His graces.
God Bless You.
