Opening Prayer

Lord, grant that I may see you more clearly,
love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly,
day by day.

Scripture

Luke 5:12-16

Once when he was in one of the cities, a man covered with a skin disease was there. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I am willing. Be made clean.” Immediately the skin disease left him. And he ordered him to tell no one. “But go, show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds were gathering to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. Meanwhile, he would slip away to deserted places and pray.

Reflection

Jesus’ willingness to touch and heal the leper, despite societal norms and fears of contagion, demonstrates profound compassion and the power of human touch. This act of kindness not only heals the leper physically but also restores his dignity and place in society. It inspires us to reach out with compassion to those who are marginalised or suffering, recognising that our actions can bring holistic healing and transformation to their lives.

The leper’s approach to Jesus, filled with faith and trust, is met with an immediate and compassionate response. His words, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean,” show a deep belief in Jesus’ power to heal. This encourages us to bring our own needs and struggles to Jesus with the same faith and trust, confident that He is both willing and able to bring healing and renewal to our lives.

Contemplation

I take a few moments to imagine the scene from the Gospel story I just read. I let the words come alive in my heart. I visualise the event as if I was there and part of the story. I pay attention to all the details, the sights, the sounds, the tastes, the smells, and the feelings of the event. I imagine myself as one of the characters in the scene or as myself present in the story. What message does Jesus have for me? How is God speaking to me personally through this story? I open my heart to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Thanksgiving

I ask God, the Father, to give me an intimate knowledge of the many gifts I have received,
so that filled with gratitude for all, I may in all things love and serve the Divine Majesty.

Fellow Pilgrims

Don’t despair: despair suggests you are in total control and know what is coming. You don’t – surrender to events with hope.

– Alain de Botton

Closing Prayer

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Amen.