Wish To Be Clean

" But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds. “

First Reading: Lev. 13:1-2, 44-46

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "If someone has on his skin a scab or pustule or blotch which appears to be the sore of leprosy, he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest, or to one of the priests among his descendants, the man is leprous and unclean, and the priest shall declare him unclean by reason of the sore on his head. "The one who bears the sore of leprosy shall keep his garments rent and his head bare, and shall muffle his beard; he shall cry out, 'Unclean, unclean!' As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean, since he is in fact unclean. He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.

Resp. Psalm: Psalms 32:1-2, 5, 11

Second Reading: 1^st Cor. 10:31--11:1

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Avoid giving offense, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Gospel: Mark 1:40-45

A leper  came to him (and kneeling down) begged him and said, "If you wish, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, "I do will it. Be made clean." The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, "See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them." The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

Reflection

By Benj Santiago

“As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean, since he is in fact unclean. He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.” (Leviticus 13:46)

“A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “”If you wish, you can make me clean.”” (Mk1:40)

Have you seen a leper? Nowadays, this disease is already curable. However, you still would feel that lepers still opt to live together and make their abode afar from those who are without the disease. In the past, it is more difficult both physically and emotionally for those who were afflicted with leprosy for they have to even live outside the camp or away from others. They are ostracized as unclean and any contact with them will render the person who touches them to be unclean as well.

Feeling unclean is same thing as feeling sinful. When we sin, we are actually staying away from God. We camp outside away from God because of our sins. But God never wants us to separate with Him. It is our sinfulness that pulls us away from Him. But in spite of our sinfulness, our being a leper, we do not have to camp out from Him.  All we have to do is approach Him and beg His kindness and mercy, just like what the leper did. And I am so sure that just like the leper who begged Him, He will wash away our sins and make us free from our sins (leprosy).

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for Your mercy and kindness. For Your undying love for us, though we are sinful and tend to stay away from You. We do not even have to beg You for You already know our desires. All we have to do is come to You and You will restore us and make us clean again. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen.

Action

Today, let us do our best to go to confession and make ourselves clean again. Pray also that many people who need repentance and reconciliation turn away from their sins and return to God.

Let us also pray for those who are actually inflicted with skin disease that may be able to obtain healing and cleansing from their afflictions.