A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark (1:40-45)
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.
(The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!)
Reflection: listen to Jesus
In today’s reading we hear of how a person with leprosy kneels before Jesus and begs him to heal him. A little bit about leprosy. Leprosy is caused by a bacteria that removes the sensation from our nerves where one is unable to feel pain even though they are seriously injured. Anyone who has had leprosy was considered unclean and were prevented from entering the synagogue to protect others from contracting the disease. So, to be healed of leprosy is a very positive change for their lives as they were welcomed back into society. There are now medicines to cure leprosy God’s grace.
So, Jesus is moved with pity with the leper and heals him, and most importantly Jesus makes him clean. Jesus then tells the leper sternly to tell no one, which means “in a firm way”, as Jesus also instructs him to show himself to the priest and to offer what Moses prescribed for his cleansing as proof for them.
What does he do? He goes out of his away to publicized about it, he does not present himself to the priest, and he spreads the news everywhere. It became impossible for Jesus to enter in to any town openly, and people kept pursuing him wherever he goes. Jesus was forced to stay away from the towns and remained outside at deserted places.
Why did this person do that? He was just healed by Jesus, yet, why did he not listen to Jesus’ request? Was it because of his excitement, or did he blatantly decide to ignore what Jesus instructed him to do? Why did he do that?
Sometime we have the tendency to be like that person. We do not listen to what is requested of us, sometimes even when we are told sternly. Or sometimes we do listen, but we still choose to do our own way, and there is a consequence. We may inadvertently cause inconvenience or harm to others, just like how Jesus was no longer able to visit towns openly.
Listen to Jesus. Our Lord only wants what is good for us. what is holy, what is uplifting, what is of healing, encouragement, unity, joy and peace for everyone. He journeys in the hearts of all the faithful through the Holy Spirit. Jesus prompts us daily with choices that lead to holiness, goodness, mercy and love. May we listen to the prompting of Jesus’ call. He only wants what is best for us.
Action for the Day:
In quiet prayer, ask our Lord Jesus to help us how to listen and how best to serve him by our actions and plans, especially with how we relate to everyone. Our Lord is with us and He will show us the way.
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