Gospel
MT 8:1-4
When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.
And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said,
“Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”
He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said,
“I will do it. Be made clean.”
His leprosy was cleansed immediately.
Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one,
but go show yourself to the priest,
and offer the gift that Moses prescribed;
that will be proof for them.”
REFLECTION
“Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”
“I will do it. Be made clean.”
We have heard, read and taught of all the things God did for His people. God continues to save us from our foes. And all day long we should boast in God and praise His name without ceasing. (Psalm 43)
Saint Irenaeus believed that knowledge was not enough but real faith meant action! He battled the terrible teaching of Gnosticism. Their teachings completely ignored the writings and the teachings of the first apostles. They believed that just knowing about God was the only way to be saved. St Irenaeus argued and wrote 5 lengthy books regarding their false teachings that knowledge would not save anyone. He emphasized and taught that Jesus alone would save.
At the end of the day when we have our examination of conscience, when we critically think about what we did, what we said and what our inner thoughts really are, we realize and confirm that we cannot save ourselves. We live in an era where there is treatment for leprosy and, therefore, easy to forget that our faults and sins are our leprosy. All the self help efforts--if Jesus is not the physician--will be in vain. His treatment with the sacraments of confession and the Holy Eucharist with the net rewards of a healthy soul cannot be outdone.
Do I treat people like stepping stones to get what I want? Do I leave people out because they irritate me or don't agree with me, do I forget to be generous, do I indulge on myself and not others, am I cocky because I go to daily Mass and adoration yet my inner thoughts really tell me who I am and whom I serve?
It is God and God alone who is victorious over sin. He became incarnate, served others and offered Himself as a sacrifice. And when we have faith in Him and Him alone, we do not just have knowledge but we live our faith by serving Him.
Ask. God will do it--He will clean you up. You will have a cure for your leprosy and discover the profound happiness in serving others.
Comments