1/12/2023 (Thursday) Today’s gospel reading: Mark 1:40-45
40 A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”
41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”
42 The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
43 Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.
44 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.”
45 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.
1/12/2023 (Thursday) Today’s gospel reflection: Mark 1:40-45
The leper in the gospel reading above is weary and burdened with physical illness and emotional hurt because of people’s rejection. With humility and trepidation, he lowered himself by kneeling and asked Jesus for healing. At the sight of him, Jesus is moved with pity and granted the leper’s petition.
Jesus has just put His words into action when He invited people to find rest in Him. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” The leper is one of those in need of help who confidently answered the invitation.
Indeed, Jesus does not fail us. He truly fulfills His promises. All He is asking of us is to believe in Him, pray often and follow His commands. As He had done to the leper, He will also do for us because He is meek and humble of hearts.