It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded 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.” -Lk 5:12-13
God is good, all the time.
Friends, someone once commented that a husband or wife who leaves home and can smell the spouse’s scents, for as long as he or she is out, will appear invincible to everyone. Do you imagine that the leper featured in today's gospel will forget the fragrance of Jesus' hand that touched him? Of course not!
The reality of the Lord's anointed hands and his words, "I do it will it. Be made clean," will remain with him forever. Won't it be great if the people around us can carry the scents of positive words and actions they received from us as they go about the day? Why don't we all aim at that today and tomorrow and see how we can brighten and alter people's world for them?
The leper's condition was depressing. He was "full of leprosy." The nature of leprosy and attitudes towards the disease may be likened to Covid-19. The beginning of leprosy was insidious and imperceptible. And when fully developed, it became highly contagious and incurable. Hence, it created social isolation, family separation, community disintegration, loss of livelihood, general alienation, and paranoia.
We see a leper who was meeting Jesus the first time with full faith and understanding that he was the lover of souls, no matter how stinky the soul is. For this person, it is not whether Jesus can heal him, but whether he will. His words, "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean," reveals his faith and understanding that no matter how badly he needed healing and the love and compassion of God towards him, it is His will that must be done.
Jesus is infinitely loving to our souls, and he cares deeply about all. We don't deserve the magnitude of love he proffers us. See how he gave himself to us in the Eucharist as he died to save us. Jesus can help us in our anxious and depressing moments, freaking and trouble times with others or ourselves if we come to him and ask for his aid. And when we do, the issue is not whether he will listen to us and intervene, but whether we will accept his will whatever the outcome.
Prayer blessings: Father of life, drench me in the living water that flows from your son so that my life may bear the fruits that you consider worthy just for today. Amen.