Thursday, 16 January 2025. Readings: Hebrews 3:7-14, Ps. 95:6-11, Mark 1:40-45
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, as on the day of testing in the wilderness.” (Hebrews 3:7-8)
- The defining characteristic of a Christian, a person who is born again, is love. You cannot claim to be a Christian if you are selfish. Jesus Christ never ignored someone needing help. We see people suffering from certain ailments, but we maintain our distance instead of reaching out to help. This is so unlike Christ.
- If you cannot help someone suffering, do not make their case worse by making them feel as though they have been cursed or as if they are dead. Do not run away from them. Your presence, smiles, and touch are powerful medicines for the sick. When did you last enter a hospital to give hope to a sick person you don’t know?
- Leprosy was considered a communicable disease in those days. In today’s Gospel passage, a leper approached Jesus. Mark emphasises that Jesus is “moved with pity.” Jesus weeps when we weep. He took our human flesh to feel our emotions. Jesus also expects us to do the same for our brothers and sisters.
- Empathy is the first step to healing, but it is not enough. Go beyond words such as: “Sorry, oh. It is well you.” Do whatever is within your power to do. It might seem small compared to the person’s problem, but it would mean the world to them.
- Sometimes, we underestimate ourselves. What makes you think your prayers cannot heal the sick? With just five loaves and two fish, over five thousand people were fed. Even for someone looking for a million naira, ten naira is something. You might not even have ten naira, but you might know how to connect them to someone who has.
- Jesus did what He was capable of doing. He stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately, the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. (Mark 1:40-42).
- The book of Hebrews admonishes us: “Today when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts… take care; brethren lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart.” (Hebrews 3:8-13). Even the leper did not have a hardened heart; he believed that Jesus could cure him. Hence, he said: “If you will, you can make me clean.” Do not doubt what God can do; His healing power is still available today.
- Finally, this healing account teaches us that being a Christian (having the same mind as Jesus Christ) requires deep-seated humility. When you do something good for others, do not go about announcing it and do not allow them to blow your trumpet. Jesus told the man to “say nothing” to anyone. Some of us even curse people if they fail to mention our goodness, and we resolve never to help again.
- The leper could not keep his joy to himself. He disobeyed Jesus’ instruction. As a result, Mark tells us that “Jesus could no longer openly enter a town but was out in the country.” (Mark 1:45). Jesus could not openly enter a town because He did not want people seeking Him only for miracles. The church is not a miracle centre; it is our Father’s house. Some Christians only remember God when they think things have gone out of hand. This is not right. Harden, not your hearts.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, replace our hardened hearts with love, teach us to love again. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Thursday of week 1 in Ordinary Time, Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Hebrews 3:7-14, Ps. 95:6-11, Mark 1:40-45).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu