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 canmake 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. I do will it. Be made clean.
His words were filled with humility, faith and trust. With reverence and fear of the Lord (his posture of laying down prostrate), he made a statement, not demanded, and placed his desire at the feet of God..."if you wish, you can make me clean".
Our daily work is to do the will of God as Our Lord did the will of God in the manner He willed. We don't pray to change God's will but as we pray and open our desires to Him, there is a call to trust, surrender control (stop "fixing" everything), do good with love, and align our intellect and will with divine purpose, even in small things. Jesus does not say, "No" and then walks away. He reaches out and through persistent prayer with Him we reach a point where our desires and His Will meet. Our hearts are transformed and conform to the divine will.
His will for the leper was to be compassionate, reaching into human pain and to restore dignity and life. His healing can be both physical and spiritual. The leper was made clean physically immediately and he now had the ability to get back with his family, community, lost relationships with a sense of belonging. He was transformed.
Prayer life is so essential for a relationship with God. How can we know Him if we don't communicate, or spend time with Him? Simple prayer, simple communication. We talk to Him...not just think about Him. The moment we begin to speak, we move toward Him, and we can talk to Him about our joys, sorrows, successes, and failures.
May we be so united with God in prayer that we have the strength and the light to accomplish His Will.
Our PAPA website has beautiful devotions. Take a look, set aside a specific time to pray.
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