Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“If you wish, you can make me clean.”

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him,  “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the story about a leper seeking God’s help.  He cries out to Christ seeking his mercy and help.  Moved with pity, Jesus reaches out his hand and says, “I do will it.  Be made 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 the Leper and cures him 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 do will it; be made clean.” It’s 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. Christ tells us that our judgment will be based on how we treat others.  No matter how deep the wound, we must reach out. 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