Reflection for THURSDAY, 1st Week, Ordinary Time.

By

Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Director, Social Action Movement, Don Bosco Bidar 

Today's Word of God 

Mark 1:40-45

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy 

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

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

Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:  “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.” 

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. 


Meditation on the Word of God 

One of the decisions that can be difficult or easy to make is when we are faced with a request to do something that is within our ability for someone.

If that person is someone that we like, then we would be more willing than ever to do it.

But if that person is not in our good books, then comes the choice of whether to accede to that person’s request.

The 1st reading reminds us that as Christians, we have to keep encouraging one another so that none of us is hardened by the lure of sin.

But when we hold anger and resentment against someone, we harden our hearts against that person.

So when that person asks us for a favour, and it may even be an urgent request, we will make excuses not to do it, or if we really have to do it, then we will certainly show our reluctance and do it ungracefully.

When Jesus was approached by the leper with the request to cure him, Jesus replied with such earnestness that it seemed like He was longing for the leper to approach Him.

Let us know that if we are to listen to the voice of the Lord, then that voice may come from those whom we are hesitant or reluctant to help.

But if we really listen to the voice of the Lord, then our hearts will be softened by the love of Jesus, and the decision to be of help to others, regardless of whether we like them or not, will not be a difficult decision to make.

GOD BLESS YOU

Good morning. Have a nice day.