Spirit, Blood and Water testify to Jesus

1 Jn 5:5-13, Lk. 5:12-16. The testimonies of the Spirit, blood and water are all that proved the extent of God’s infinite love for us as recorded in today's first reading. It is through these manifestationS of God’s love for us that Jesus was able to demonstrate the ministry of service. After calling the first set of fishermen to follow Him, Jesus showed them what it means to be fishers of men. The people He set out to “catch” or engage with His message were not the political and social celebrities, or people who were well-off and influential, but primarily the poor and the neglected. Tax collectors, prostitutes, Gentiles and thieves were drawn to Jesus, for they found Him encouraging their dignity and not condemning them. In today’s Gospel, Jesus reaches out and restores the dignity of one of the most rejected groups of all, people suffering from the dreaded disease of leprosy. This shows Jesus as a life-giver and healer. He exactly demonstrates what He said in the Synagogue in Nazareth, to heal, mend, restore and set free.

Lepers were strictly commanded to live apart from society and to cry “Unclean! Unclean!” if approached by people (Lev. 13:45). They were “untouchables” in every sense of the word, despised, forsaken, judged and condemned. The man had to ignored conventional practice in order to search for Jesus and when he saw Him he fell down and begged: “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” This man never doubted that God could heal him. His request is like that of Naaman who asked the prophet Elijah to cleanse him of his leprosy. Before replying, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him. This would have shocked both the leper and the onlookers, for rabbis and priests in particular must carefully avoid lepers, so as not to become ceremonially unclean.

May the Lord cleanse our hearts so we that we may know the great depths of His love! Amen!! Good morning and have a pleasant day!!!