Friday, 10 January 2025. Readings: 1 John 5:5-13, Ps. 147:12-15,19-20, Luke 5:12-16
“‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ And he stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately the leprosy left him.” (Luke 5:12-13)
- In today’s Gospel passage, Luke narrates the healing episode of the leper who approached Jesus for healing. This story confirms what Jesus said in yesterday’s Gospel passage after reading Isaiah’s prophecy regarding Himself. Jesus took our flesh to preach good news to the poor, set at liberty those held captives, give freedom to the oppressed, and heal the sick.
- In all of the Gospels, all those who approached Jesus with faith for healing went home brimming with smiles. None of them was disappointed. Truly, as the Angel Gabriel said to Mary during the annunciation: “With God, nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37). The Good News is that God has not changed; He continues to heal anyone who approaches Him with deep faith and humility.
- We learn some important lessons from the Leper in today’s Gospel passage. Firstly, this leper was not with his fellow lepers in the lepers’ colony. Luke tells us that he met Jesus in one of the cities. Given the contagious nature of leprosy, lepers were usually ostracised. Could it be that he followed Jesus all the way, looking for an opportunity to have an audience with him? Was the leper hiding from others to avoid being ostracised? The first step to your healing is to ensure you are in the right place. Avoid those who tell you that your case is hopeless.
- Secondly, the leper knew Jesus well. By addressing Jesus as “Lord”, the leper expressed faith in Jesus’ divinity. Like the Centurion who knelt before Jesus, the leper fell on his face before Jesus. Humility before God is a fruit of our Faith in Him. If you believe in God, you will bow in His presence. We kneel before the Blessed Sacrament like the Magi who prostrated before the baby Jesus because we know that Jesus is truly present in the consecrated Host.
- Your healing begins with faith. No one who approaches Jesus with faith will ever go home disappointed. As St. John teaches us, faith is our victory over the world. “Who is it that overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1st John 5:5). Even at the time of Jesus, there were many lepers and sick people in Israel; many even had contact with Jesus, but only those who touched him with faith received healing. God is not weak; you only need to reawaken your faith.
- Thirdly, the leper did not consider it his right to receive healing. He said: “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” At the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said a similar prayer: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39). Avoid issuing commands to God when you pray. By saying, “Lord, if you will…” the leper expressed deep trust that God knew what was best for him. Even though healing would end his pains, the leper was willing to remain in that condition as long as God wanted it.
- In other words, the leper’s prayer was a Prayer of Surrender. Rather than tell God what you want, pray that His will be done. As wonderful as that which you are asking for looks, it might not be what is best for you. Jesus said: “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you… What man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?” (Matthew 7:7-10). God will never give us what we want if it is not for our good.
- After listening to the leper’s prayer, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying: “I will, be clean.” In other words, I desire your healing. I want you to be strong and healthy. Sickness, pain and misery do not glorify God. Avoid concluding that God does not care about your condition or that God is punishing you for your sins. Regardless of what you are going through, God only desires the best for you. “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
- Even if you are the worst sinner on earth, God does not take glory in seeing you suffer. “Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?” (Ezekiel 18:23). God could have abandoned mankind to perish, but because He hates seeing us suffer, He sent His Son to die for us. (cf. John 3:16). Jesus cares about you. He wants to heal you. It is time for you to approach Him with faith. It is time to surrender to Him.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, give us the grace to carry on our devotions with active faith. 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. (Friday after Epiphany Sunday Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: 1 John 5:5-13, Ps. 147:12-15,19-20, Luke 5:12-16).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu