FRIDAY 30th JUNE 2023
Matthew 8, 1-4:
“A leper came to Jesus and knelt down and said to him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean….”. And he stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be cleansed’. And immediately he was cleansed of leprosy”.
The leper in today’s Gospel realised three things when he saw Jesus:
1: He approaches: in spite of the obstacles and impediments that a leper of that time had to approach any kind of person. He overcomes fear, shame. Faith gives him boldness and courage.
2: He kneels down: he acknowledges his leprosy, his humiliation. He recognises at the same time the power and mercy of Jesus who is able to heal him not only physically but also spiritually.
3: He asks and pleads: not with demands, but with great humility and trust. He asks for his healing if Jesus wants to give it to him.
And Jesus also realised three things:
1: He speaks to him, he points to him, he draws him near and approaches him, he chooses him: he “stretches out his hand”.
2: He responds with “I will”. And this “I will” of Jesus realised the healing of the leper.
3: He touches him: the purity of Jesus is transmitted to the impurity of the leper and he is healed.
Come close to Jesus as the leper came close to him and do not doubt that Jesus will also come close to you, he will answer you and, by touching you, all your “leprosies” will also be cleansed.
Good day to you.
Antonio Sanjuan Cmf
