A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said,
“If you wish, you can make me clean.”

Mark 1:40

Mark 1:40-45

Reflection

A leper comes to Jesus, desiring to be made clean. Jesus is moved with pity and cleanses the leper, telling him to show himself to the priests and not tell anyone about being cured. The man goes around telling everyone and Jesus is unable to enter towns openly, so he remains in deserted places while people continue to seek him out.

The leper believed that Jesus had the power to cleanse him – he didn’t show any doubt that Christ could do something miraculous for him. Jesus, in turn, has pity on the leper and does cure him. Jesus’ heart is continuously moved with pity at our suffering. He desires to heal us and show us his great love and mercy. To receive this, though, we must be open to our Lord, trusting that he can do all things.

Do we approach God simply like the leper, trusting that he can heal us? Or do we come with doubts and hesitations? The Lord wants us to put our complete trust in him, not worrying about anything but believing that he will provide. How can you humble yourself and put your trust in Jesus today?

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Saint of the Day

St. Devasahayam Pillai: 1712 – 1752

“No one forced me to come; I came by my own free will. I know my heart: He is my God. I have decided to follow Him and will do so my whole life.” St. Devasahayam Pillai