Ord. Wk 1st January 17, 2019
Reflection on the WORD
God’s Providence: In today’s Gospel, Jesus cured a man from skin diseases, and urged him not to tell anyone about this. God’s Providence is God’s Will unfolding itself in our human time as God’s way of Loving us in His Wisdom, of giving us what is best for our salvation. Do we seek and do God’s Will daily?
Mk 1:40-45
A man suffering from a virulent skin-disease came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees saying, ‘If you are willing, you can cleanse me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said to him, ‘I am willing. Be cleansed.’ And at once the skin-disease left him and he was cleansed.
And at once Jesus sternly sent him away and said to him, ‘Mind you tell no one anything, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your cleansing prescribed by Moses as evidence to them.’ The man went away, but then started freely proclaiming and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but stayed outside in deserted places. Even so, people from all around kept coming 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.