Gospel
A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said,
“If you wish, you can make me clean.
”Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,
touched the leper, and said to him,
“I do will it. Be made clean.”
The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.
Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything,
but go, show yourself to the priest
and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed;
that will be proof for them.”
The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter.
He spread the report abroad
so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.
He remained outside in deserted places,
and people kept coming to him from everywhere.
Reflection
Does Jesus still work miracles in the world today? Do healings happen like this leper was healed in our time? Do we really want the healing that Jesus has to offer? The Leper in this story seems as if he questions whether or not Jesus would want him healed. He says, "If you wish, you can make me clean." And Jesus in His merciful love has compassion for this leper, heals him.
I was talking with a friend of mine about why God allows certain things to happen. She herself is going through a trial in her life, where her loved one is suffering greatly, and recommended that I read "Uniformity With God's Will" by Saint Alphonsus Ligouri. She said that this may help me to find "peace" and see a bigger picture.
Could this be why the Leper said "If You wish"? He accepted God's Holy Will and recognized Who Jesus truly is and lowered himself even more than the leprosy had as he kneeled before the Lord. What a beautiful heart.
Lord Jesus, please help us all to recognize Who you REALLY ARE and help us to humble ourselves even in our need and prayers.
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