Tag: leprosy

“This joy of mine has been made complete.” | Saturday after Epiphany

From the responsorial psalm: “Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon their couches; Let the high praises of God be in their throats. This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia. The Lord takes delight in his people.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 3:22-30)

John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”

As Jesus baptizes with his disciples in the region of Judea, the disciples of John the Baptist tell him that Jesus is baptizing and that everyone is coming to him. John replies to them with great humility, bringing to unity his followers and the followers of Jesus. John recognizes in Jesus the fulfillment of his role as the “best man,” the one who would prepare the way of the Lord. He delights in it. “So this joy of mine has been made complete.” At the heart of his joy is giving glory to the Lord. “He must increase; I must decrease.”

God, help me follow the example of John’s humility in attributing every good gift to you. In receiving what you gave him, John made the way to Jesus clear to all who heard him. Give me the grace today to respond to the vocation and purpose you gave me. As the Catechism makes clear about human freedom and cooperation with your grace, let me understand what you have called me to. It says: “All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity.” Just as John understood that as Jesus increased, he must decrease, give me wisdom to discern how to bring about the fullness and perfection of your will, the source of every good gift.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“I do will it. Be made clean.” | Friday after Epiphany

From the responsorial psalm: “He has granted peace in your borders; with the best of wheat he fills you. He sends forth his command to the earth; swiftly runs his word! Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 5:12-16)

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 can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately.

Luke relates a story of Jesus healing a man with leprosy. Taking place in one of the towns Jesus visits, Luke tells us that “It happened that there was a man full of leprosy.” In healing the man, and in the account of this that spread all the more so that Jesus would cure great crowds of all kinds of illnesses, it is not at all circumstantial. Jesus came to all people to proclaim the Gospel and to cure every disease among them. “Lord, if you wish.” Asking for healing in this manner, the man with full of leprosy is emptied of it only to be filled with the Lord’s healing and grace. “I do will it,” Jesus says. “Be made clean.” What Jesus wills is to please the Father in giving us abundant life. As we hear from John in the first reading: “God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

God, there is no accident in Jesus’ encounter with the man who has leprosy. If not leprosy, there is always some other physical or mental or spiritual illness. The great crowds came to Jesus to listen to him but also to be cured of their illnesses. Give me the grace, Lord, to understand that you do as you will and that your will is to bring healing and wholeness to those in most need of your mercy. Help me know peace today, Lord; fill me with the best of wheat. I know you will it.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.