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Gospel of Luke 5:12-16
It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; when he saw Jesus he fell prostrate, pleased with him, and said, "Lord, if you wish you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do will it Be made clean."
The leprosy mentioned in the bible is not the same leprosy that most people are familiar with. Any type of skin condition including rashes, moles, warts, birth defects, and allergic skin reactions labeled someone as a "leper". Lepers were shunned from society. They could not worship in the temple unless they went through a special cleansing process and proven "clean" by a priest. The Jewish people clearly did not have a good understanding of medicine like we do today. Makes me wonder: Did Our Lord ever suffer from a skin ailment? I'm sure he was sick just like the rest of us from time to time.
Lord, if you wish make me clean! Americans spend hundreds of dollars a year purchasing products to clean and disinfect their kitchens and bathrooms. They spend even more money on hand sanitizers, air fresheners, and antibacterial gels. Cleanliness lessons the chance of sickness. Cleanliness promotes good health.
With all of the sanitizing and deodorizing of our homes and work places, do you ever think about cleansing your spiritual life? Are you dirty with unbelief? Are you filthy with sin? Jesus can make you clean for free! No costly cleaning products required. All you need is to ask. He wants you healed both physically and spiritually.
The Proof The priests of the temple required proof that a person was healed from leprosy. They had to see it with their own eyes! Like many of us, we must see proof that God exists. The proof is quite obvious but so many people are in denial. People don't want to face the fact that a God heals our wounds, cleanses our brokenness, and washes away our sins. It's right there in scripture. It's present in the miracles around us. The proof is there in the many blessings in our lives as well as the beauty of nature.
Jesus is the best housekeeper on earth! He cleans and sanitizes our souls. One of the most humble ways to receive a thorough spiritual cleaning is in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Has it been a while since you went to confession? Do you feel the need for inner cleansing?
Jesus Withdraws to Pray With so many crowds of people requesting healing, Jesus needed time to himself to rejuvenate. He went away to pray. It's good for us to take time away from the busyness around us. Be alone with the Lord! People demand a lot of our time and our energy. Why not make an appointment to visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament? Why not take an extra fifteen minutes in the morning to pray the Liturgy of the Hours?
Let us allow Our Lord Jesus to clean away the dirt, the filth, and the stench in our lives. He's always available and lovingly willing!
-J.
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