When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one,but go show yourself to the priest,and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” (Mt 8:1-4)
In Jesus' time leprosy was a terminal illness and a leper was repulsive to look at. The law required that he or she live far from the community and there was no one to care for them, feed them, take care of their wounds. When Jesus came down from the mountain where He was praying a crowd gathered around Him and, with great courage because of his great need, the leper approached Jesus and with great faith begged Jesus to heal him. Jesus touched the leper. Imagine! And through that touch the leper was healed.
I am sure each one of us needs healing. In our great need, do we have the courage to approach Jesus, and ask for His healing? Jesus has come down from the mountain and he comes to us through the ministry of his priest in the confessional, in the Eucharist. We acknowledge this in the prayer during the Holy Mass: "Lord I am not worthy to receive you, say but the word and my soul will be healed." As we receive Him in Communion he not only touches us but he becomes one with us.
Can you imagine the joy the leper experienced as he ran off to show himself to the priest?! I have often experienced great joy as well, following my reception of the Sacraments. What about you?
No comments:
Post a Comment