REFLECTIONS ON THE WORD – 01/07/22 (Friday After Epiphany)

Luke 5:12,14

12 While He was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and besought Him, "Lord, if You will, you can make me clean."

14 And He charged him to tell no one; but "go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to the people."

For the full readings, click here: 

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/daily-readings

Blessed Friday after the Epiphany! In our gospel reading for today, a man with leprosy came to Jesus to be healed. The man prostrated before Jesus Christ, but what's different with this man was he did not just seek physical healing. He was seeking to obey the will of God. This is why he said, "Lord, if You will..." Because of his faith, Jesus healed him of his leprosy and told him to make an offering according to what Moses commanded. Although we no longer follow the Mosaic law, Jesus still calls us to make an offering to His Merciful love. 

Even if we are not physically sick, we may be spiritually sick. To offer oneself to Christ is to be fully obedient to His will like the man with leprosy. Many people started to devote themselves to Christ after having some problems in their lives. It could be financial problems, family problems, emotional problems and many more. It is always good to seek our Lord in prayer to find peace amidst difficulties. At the same time, He is inviting us to deepen our relationship with Him by following His Divine will. He desires that we follow Him by being committed to the teachings and commandments He revealed to the Catholic Church. We should always remember that as we come to Jesus, He wants to purify our souls by testing our faith if we truly want to offer ourselves to Him. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ is testing our faith whether we truly want to offer ourselves to Him and follow Him. May we be fully obedient to His teachings and to His will for us. God will transform us to new persons if we offer ourselves to Him. By being united with Him in our prayers and in the sacraments, He will heal our hearts made unclean by our sins. Just as how the leper immediately recognized Jesus, may we always recognize His presence and His desires for us because He will guide us to heaven where there are no sufferings. All that is present in His Kingdom is happiness found in our union with God. 

Amen +

 

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic