Partners in Christ

January 15, 2009

Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Encourage yourselves daily while it is still "today," so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin. We have become partners of Christ if only we hold the beginning of the reality firm until the end, for it is said: "Oh, that today you would hear his voice: 'Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion.'" Hebrews 3:13-15

A leper came to him (and kneeling down) begged him and said, "If you wish, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, "I do will it. Be made clean." Mark 1:40-41

Piety

Let us get up then, at long last, for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: It is high time for us to arise from sleep (Rom 13:11). Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from God, and our ears to the voice from heaven that every day calls out this charge: If you hear this voice today, do not harden your hearts (Ps 94 [95]:8). And again: You that have ears to hear, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches (Rev 2:7). And what does he say? Come and listen to me sons; I will teach you the fear of the Lord (Ps 33 [34]:12). Run while you have the light of life, that the darkness of death may not overtake you (John 12:35).

Seeking his workman in a multitude of people, the Lord calls out to him and lifts his voice again: Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days? (Ps 33 [34]:13) If you hear this and your answer is "I do," God then directs these words to you: If you desire true and eternal life, keep your tongue free from vicious talk and your lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and aim (Ps 33 [34}:14-15). Once you have done this, my eyes will be upon you and my ears will listen for your prayers; and even before you ask me I will say to you: Here I am (Isa 58:9).

Rule of St. Benedict, Prologue, Paragraphs 3-4

Study

The Doctor is in. Time to make your appointment. Your could probably bet that the leper in today’s Gospel from Matthew did not think this was just Tuesday in Ordinary Time. This was not just an ordinary encounter.

If you wish, you can make me clean. The leper wished (prayed) and his wish-prayer became the wish-prayer of Jesus.
If you wish, you can make me clean. He turned to Jesus, this God-made-man of whom people throughout the land were amazed and astonished.

If you wish, you can make me clean. He turned to Jesus in faith, recognizing, not denying Jesus’ identity.

If you wish, you can make me clean. He turned to Jesus and did one simple prayer.

If you wish, you can make me clean. Jesus responded.

If you wish, you can make me clean. The leper was cured.

Jesus heard his plea and answered. No matter how much the traditions of the day would require Jesus to avoid all contact with lepers, Jesus welcomed the encounter and was moved to pity.

The last thing we find when we turn to God in faith like this leper is a hard heart. When we turn to God in prayer, God’s only response is to say, “Here I am.” Then, he grants our every prayer.

Action

“Partners in Christ.”

How do partners act? One thing we can say of partners is that they both act for the good of the partnership. They put aside their personal, self-interest and work for the interest of the partnership, the common good. Partners act “in good faith” for the benefit of the partnership.

Doctors in partnership build a medical practice to heal their patients. Lawyers in partnership build a law practice to advocate for their patients. Wives and husbands in marriage give up their personal interests to work to preserve their united interests and that of their children.

Today, Jesus’ personal interest became the interest of the leper. Today, Jesus was moved to pity and moved to partnership with the man who was a leper.

How are we acting within this partnership? Have we put aside our selfish interest to unite our desired outcome with the desired outcome Jesus seeks in the world? Have we opened our heart so it can be moved with pity as Jesus was moved today? Or do our hearts remain hardened so God has a tough time breaking through to us?

If we open ourselves to the encounter with the poor, this individual poor person, this leper, then it would be hard to remain hard hearted. Today, look around for the leper whom God is sending into your life. How will you work in partnership with Christ to cure the “leper” whom you encounter today?