Daily Catholic Reflection: January 14, 2021, Thursday of the First Week of Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 3:7- 14;

Ps 95 :6-7abc.7d and 8-9. 10-11;

Mark 1:40-45 Full Readings

Saint Gregory Nazianzen

 Jesus' Healing Touch 

Brethren, today's first reading shows us that we as Christians are in the journey towards our final destiny and goal which is to be with God in heaven and experience the beatific vision. This journey can be compared  with the exodus, the journey of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to the promised land of milk and honey. However, we see that, in the way, Israelites lost patience, hardened their hearts and tested God and the first reading gives the instance of Meribah, when they tested God and did not trust in his providence. The punishment was that they will never reach the promised and indeed that generation didn't reach.

The first reading encourages us not to be like these Israelites who hardened their hearts and could not listen to God anymore. If we want to reach God and enjoy eternal happiness with Him, let us not harden our hearts but allow God to take control of our lives. God will surely make us well as Jesus made well the leper in the Gospel today. The leper knew he could not cure himself but needed Jesus' divine touch that was why he said, "If you want to, you can cure me." it becomes inevitable therefore for us as human beings to always rely on God's help in all the daily battles of our life. For, cut off from Jesus we can do nothing. (John 15:5)

We should seek the Lord Jesus with expectant faith. No one who sought Jesus out was refused his help. Even the untouchables and the outcasts of Jewish society found help in him. Unlike the people of Jesus' time who fled at the sight of a leper, Jesus touched the leper who approached him and he made him whole and clean. Lepers were outcasts of society. They were driven from their homes and communities and left to fend for themselves. Their physical condition was terrible as they slowly lost the use of their limbs and withered away. They were not only shunned but regarded as "already dead" even by their relatives. The Jewish law forbade anyone from touching or approaching a leper, lest ritual defilement occur.

This leper did something quite remarkable. He approached Jesus confidently and humbly, expecting that Jesus could and would heal him. Normally a leper would be stoned or at least warded off if he tried to come near a rabbi. Jesus not only grants the man his request, but he demonstrates the personal love, compassion, and tenderness of God in his physical touch. The medical knowledge of his day would have regarded such contact as grave risk for incurring infection. Jesus met the man's misery with compassion and tender kindness. He communicated the love and mercy of God in a sign that spoke more eloquently than words. He touched the man and made him clean - not only physically but spiritually as well.

Lepers were obliged by the law to stay away from people so as not to spread leprosy. Lepers had to live in isolated places and warn anyone who unknowingly got near them that they were unclean (Lv 13:45). The leper of today’s Gospel does just the opposite; he approaches Jesus. Jesus also does the unthinkable by stretching out His hand and touching the leper (Mk 1:41).

Jesus is approachable no matter what our condition. Jesus will never reject us no matter who we are, what we’ve done, or how we look (Jn 6:37). Most people have a form of spiritual leprosy. Inside, many of us feel dirty, ugly, leprous. We would not tell anyone about this for fear of being rejected by everyone. However, we can take these shameful things to Jesus.

We can “come as we are” to Jesus so we don’t “stay as we are.” He will forgive our sins and heal our leprous condition. How do you approach those who are difficult to love, or who are shunned by others because they are deformed or have some defect? Do you show them kindness and offer them mercy and help as Jesus did? The Lord is always ready to show us his mercy and to free us from whatever makes us unclean, unapproachable, or unloving towards others. Do you long for his healing touch? Pray to Him to heal you.

Let us Pray

Lord Jesus, inflame my heart with your love and make me clean and whole in body, mind, and spirit. May I never doubt your love nor cease to tell others of your mercy and compassion. Amen

Be blessed