the approachable for the untouchable
“A leper approached Him with a request.” —Mark 1:40
Lepers were obliged by the law to stay away from people so as not to spread leprosy. Lepers had to live in isolated places and warn anyone who unknowingly got near them that they were unclean (Lv 13:45). The leper of today’s Gospel does just the opposite; he approaches Jesus. Jesus also does the unthinkable by stretching out His hand and touching the leper (Mk 1:41).
Jesus is approachable no matter what our condition. Jesus will never reject us no matter who we are, what we’ve done, or how we look (Jn 6:37). Most people have a form of spiritual leprosy. Inside, many of us feel dirty, ugly, leprous. We would not tell anyone about this for fear of being rejected by everyone. However, we can take these shameful things to Jesus.
We can “come as we are” to Jesus so we don’t “stay as we are.” He will forgive our sins and heal our leprous condition.
Prayer: Jesus, may I go to Confession as soon as possible and be healed.
Promise: “We have become partners of Christ only if we maintain to the end that confidence with which we began.” —Heb 3:14
Praise: Jesus instantly healed Rhonda of hip pain at a healing service.
Reference: (Read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of the following: Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ CD 82-1, DVD 82; How to Pray the Bible CD 82-3, DVD 82; Principles of Bible Interpretation CD 79-1, DVD 79; How to Read the Bible CD 46-3, DVD 46; Biblical Counseling CD 13A-1, CD 13A-3, CD 13B-3, DVD 13A, DVD 13B.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from December 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 14, 2020"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.