Luke 5:12-16 NRSVue

¹²Once 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.” ¹³Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I am willing. Be made clean.” Immediately the skin disease left him. ¹⁴And 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.” ¹⁵But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds were gathering to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. ¹⁶Meanwhile, he would slip away to deserted places and pray.

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
An energy-point for Jesus was his prayer, and we find that at key times of his life, he prayed: before calling the twelve, at the time of temptation and the struggle at his Passion and death; and very often as part of his life he went to quiet places to pray. His ministry needed the support and life-giving energy of his relationship with his Father. With us our life of love needs the energy of prayer. Prayer enhances family life, friendship and work or ministry for others. When we bring the love and commitments of our lives to prayer, something happens to being us deeper into the source of our convictions and commitments to God and others.