Desire for Healing

 

 Mark 1: 40-45

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

⁴⁰ A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

⁴¹ Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” ⁴² Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

⁴³ Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: ⁴⁴ “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” ⁴⁵ Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

How many of us need the healing hand of Jesus, but how many of us have the faith to ask for it as directly as this man? The Latin for this verbal exchange highlights its terseness and directness.:"Domine, si tu vis, tu me mundare." "Volo. Mundare." We all need cleansing and healing, may we follow this leper's example and ask with directness and faith.

Bro. Rene

Protect us, Lord, from thinking that our healing depends on the strength and frequency of our prayers. Help us remember and proclaim to the world by our lives that through your Son you will it now and always that we be made and remain clean of heart and spirit. We make this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.

  Rev. John Pearson, C.S.C.