However the leper in the Gospel story has
the courage to approach Jesus and for that courage he is rewarded with a
healing. He is made clean so that he can live once again within the community.
Jesus heals by touching, by crossing the boundary of culture, society and
religion. Jesus deals with the person as a human being created in the image and
likeness of God.
I guess my point is that in our day
there are many people who probably feel like the lepers of Jesus’ time. People
who are looked upon as unclean, who are looked upon as not part of the
community. People who are looked upon by culture, society and especially
religion as misfits, who are often are excluded. Wouldn’t it be great if Jesus
were here today and like that day long ago as he came down from the mountain he
would stop and talk with them, touch them, perhaps embracement and make them
feel like a person again accepted, loved not feared.
Making someone clean has many
connotations some positive, some negative. Making someone clean presumes that
they are unclean. Was the leper of Jesus’ day really unclean? Are people in our
time really unclean? Asking Jesus to make those that culture, society and religion
often see as unclean, clean, might not mean curing them of some disease or
condition, it might simply mean clearing the way, stepping across the boundary
and changing the attitudes that will allow them to feel accepted, to feel they
belong.
“Lord if you wish, you can make us clean.”
Stretch out your hand today and will it!
Daily Prayer: Jesus, our benevolent friend, at every moment of our
existence you are present to us. You are our loving Savior who is gentle and compassionate.
Reach out your healing hand and touch us today. Help us to step beyond the
boundaries of what divides and excludes like you. Help us to be present to one
another so that our presence, like your presence, may be a strength that heals
the wounds of time, and give hope to all people. We make this prayer through the
grace of your compassion and love. Amen!
(Adapt from a Healing Prayer by the
monks at Weston Priory)
Runner’s Thought: Let us run in
the present moment, not from something and not to something. Let us strive for
a grace-filled run and well as a graceful run. Run today not for time but fore
grace. Run with God! (Adapted from Roger Joslin – Running the Spiritual Path)
Alright I was a bit confused yesterday,
somewhere along the line I lost a day this week. Obviously it was not Wednesday
(Hump Day) yesterday it was Thursday and today is Friday. I think?
One person caught me on it yesterday and
I didn’t realize my mistake until I read her post last evening. I am sure
others caught the mistake too but just chalked it up to my ongoing craziness
that you know so well. Sorry for the confusion it might have created for a
moment in your life!
TGIF, I think, everyone! I hope your
week has gone well and that you are looking forward to a little rest and
relaxation over the weekend. I know they are saying that the temperatures are
going to be dangerously hot out in the west so if that is your neck of the
woods please stay cool as best you can. Here in the east it seems to be more
humid than really hot.
Have a great rest of your Friday and enjoy
your weekend. May it be blessed with family and friends, laughter, fun, joy,
rest and relaxation. May you and those you love be safe everywhere you go and
in everything you do. Peace in Christ’s
Passion…Fr. Paul
PS - If you are in the area I will be
celebrating the noon mass on Sunday at the Parish of St. John and St. Mary in Chappaqua,
NY. Come join in and celebrate the Eucharist with me!
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