Presence

The peace of God is the treasure of treasures, “the pearl of great price” – Lord, may I experience this peace right now, in Your holy presence.

Freedom

“A thick and shapeless tree-trunk
would never believe that it could become a statue,
admired as a miracle of sculpture,
and would never submit itself to the chisel of the sculptor,
who sees by his genius what he can make of it.” (Saint Ignatius)
I ask for the grace to let myself be shaped by my loving Creator.

Consciousness

Jesus, You are always there waiting for me.
Grant that I may be still more often,
that I may always desire to spend time in your Presence,
to know Your peace, Your love.

The Word of God

⁴⁰A man with a skin disease came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” ⁴¹Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I am willing. Be made clean!” ⁴²Immediately the skin disease left him, and he was made clean. ⁴³After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, ⁴⁴saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded as a testimony to them.” ⁴⁵But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly but stayed out in the country, and people came to him from every quarter.

Inspiration

Jesus was always deeply moved when he encountered human suffering. On meeting the leper, he reaches out, touches the untouchable, and heals him. 

Lord Jesus, you looked on everyone with deep compassion. Just being in your presence brought a healing of body and mind. Help us in our day to be your eyes and hands that reach out to help others.

Conversation

Jesus, You always welcomed little children when You walked on this earth.
Teach me to have a childlike trust in You,
to live in the knowledge that You will never abandon me.

Conclusion

I thank God for these few moments we have spent alone together and for any insights I may have been given concerning the text.

Amen