January 13, Thursday Weekday

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. — Psalm 95:8

Mass Readings: Hebrews 3:7-14 / Mark 1:40-45 

Leper Revisited 

Today’s Gospel is Mark’s version of the healing of a leper. We heard the same story in the Gospel of Luke last Friday. The Church asks us to think about it again. This time I was struck by the what leper said to Jesus: “If you wish, you can make me clean” (1:40). He didn’t beg Jesus to heal him. He didn’t even ask politely. He simply stated a fact: Jesus could heal him if He wanted to. This way of talking to Jesus strikes me as both cheeky and faith-filled. The man had no doubt that Jesus could heal him. So — do it!  

I think it’s OK to pray this way, not all the time perhaps, but more often than we do. God has what we need. Approach Him boldly. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, I know You can help me; please, help me!