Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“If you will, you can make me clean.” In today’s Gospel (Mark1:40-45), again we hear a story about a leper seeking God’s help. Moved with pity, Jesus reaches out his hand and says, “I will; be clean.” What is it that we bring before the Lord and ask for his mercy? No matter what it is, Christ will reach out his hand and heal us. Lepers were considered untouchables; people cast out from society and left to wither and die in seclusion. Jesus embraces Leper and cures despite his being cast out by society. No matter how unclean you become, Jesus will not leave you. No matter how grotesque your sins, Jesus will say to you, “I will; be clean.” It Jesus’ will that we all be clean and purified. In this Gospel reading, Jesus also sets the example for us. We too are called to reach out to the untouchables. We are called to forgive everyone, even those who have committed the most contemptible of sins. We are called to reach out our hands and forgive. It is through our mercy and love that we demonstrate our true commitment to Christ. No matter how deep the wound, we must reach out. As lent approaches, we need to think of those whom we have shunned and those that we have cast out and reach out to them. At the same time we give our mercy and love, Christ is abundantly filling us with his.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus, If you will, make me clean.

Help me prepare my heart so that I may reach out to others.

Fill me with your love and mercy so I may give it freely.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon