Ord.Wk 1st: Thursday 13th January, 2022 January 13, 2022

Reflection on the WORD

God’s Providence – Faith: In today’s Gospel, after curing the leper, Jesus forbids him to proclaim the miracle to others.  This is because in God’s Providence, the time for His Fulfilment of His Father’s Will through His Death and Resurrection has not yet come.  Ponder on, “Do we trust in God’s Providence or are we impatient because of our needs?

Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to,’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!.’  And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. 

Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your  healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but stayed outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.

Today's Pointers on God's Word

As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?

  • •In today’s Gospel, we see that Jesus’ magnanimous love extends even to the untouchables and outcasts of the Jewish society. Jesus shows tender loving care and compassion and cured the leper saying: “I am willing, be cleansed.” 
  • •Have we been guilty of “uncharitable” attitudes and behaviours when we shun our poor, needy, and marginalized brothers and sisters in Christ? 
  • •Do you show compassion and love to the less fortunate? Jesus assures us of fullness of life with Him if we cheerfully share our blessings with those in need.