January 14, Thursday Weekday

Redeem us, Lord, because of your mercy.--Psalm 44:27

Mass readings:1 Samuel 4:1-11 / Mark 1:40-45

Shhh!

It's always intrigued me why Jesus instructed many of those He healed not to tell anyone, just as He did with the leper in today's Gospel. It also interests me that every time He makes the request, people blabber anyway. Why is this mentioned? Clearly, there was the practicality of keeping the information away from those who were jealous of Jesus and intending to do Him harm but there was another reason. The people weren't ready for the kind of Messiah He was.

There's a time and a place for everything and sometimes we need to use prudence in our speech and actions so we don't get ahead of God in the plans that He has for us. Today's Gospel is a good reminder to honor God's timing even when it doesn't make sense to us.

Prayer: Almighty God and Father, help me to speak wisely when the timing is right.