Be Healed

 

Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

8 Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. ² Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”

³ Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. ⁴ Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

The succinct Latin translation of "I am willing.  Be healed,"  "Volo. Mundare!" has remained with me since I learned it 60 years ago, when one of my fellow companions, Br. Joseph Frederick, a Latin Major, brought it to my attention. So terse, so direct.  Jesus does not need to multiply words, and yet remains faithful to the prescriptions of the Law.

We might look at our own prayers, are they a leprosy of words, or are we confident enough to be "terse and direct" with him?  Is our life in conformity with out beliefs?  Does our practice of the faith conform to our beliefs?  We might learn "the secret" of effective prayer as we reflect on the interaction between Jesus and the leper and receive the healing we really need.

Bro. Rene