GOSPEL, Matthew (8: 1-4)

Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

8 When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; ² and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” ³ He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. ⁴ Then Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

The Gospel of the Lord

 

REFLECTION

Jesus manifests mercy and compassion in restoring dignity to all people. He reconciles all who return to communion, in the unity of the people of God; He has compassion for those who suffer, and manifests the power of his word to believers.

Today’s gospel (Matthew 8: 1-4) gives account of the healing of a leper. ⁴⁰ A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” ⁴¹ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” (Mark 1:40-41), (Luke 5:12). At once, he was immediately healed of leprosy.

The leper on his knees before Jesus calls him “Lord” showing his humble and supplicating faith.

Miracles are preceded by faith in the extraordinary divine energy of the person, word and deeds of Jesus of Nazareth. As is evidenced by the Apostles narratives, when Jesus was with his compatriots in Nazareth, “he could not” perform any miracles because He did not find faith.

Let us remember the turning of water into wine at the wedding at Cana: “Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:11)

To the healed he always said, “Your faith has healed you, your faith has saved you” Faith led the apostle Peter to walk on the choppy waves of the Sea of Galilee and the great martyrs and saints of history achieving astounding feats.

If we want to be the object of the Lord’s attention, let us imitate the Roman Centurion, “Lord, I am not worthy”, similarly, the tax collector in the parable, prayed: “Lord, have mercy on me.”

In each Eucharist, before taking Communion, we repeat the words of the Centurion, but we need to show his disposition, faith imbued with humility.

Faith and humility are two virtues that go together. Let us always be honest and unassuming when we say: Lord, I am not worthy!

PRAYER

We bless you, Lord, because you are able to change the tears of those who trust in you, into songs of joy and overflowing hope. Amen.