By Beth DeCristofaro
The Holy Spirit says:
Oh, that today you would hear
his voice, “Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion in the day of testing in
the desert, where your ancestors tested and tried me and saw my works for forty
years. Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,” so that
none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin. (Hebrews 3:7-10, 13)
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 the leper, and said
to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The man
went away and began to publicize the whole matter. (Mark 1: 40-41, 45)
Piety
“You know, O my God,
that I have but today on this earth to love you.” (St Therese of Lisieux) Help
me, O God, to make it count.
Study
Recent readings have
been full of the healings of outcast lepers and frightening demoniacs. Jesus reaches out his hand and heals. The readings also have shown us that
throughout history there has been much need for healing whether due to illness,
living conditions or, as in the exodus through the desert, hardening of hearts
to the healing, guiding presence of God.
As I read today’s readings I was so struck by the seeking, softening,
healed, jubilant heart of the leper who could not stop himself from publicizing
what Jesus had done for him even through the Lord had told him not to! The Gospel goes on to say that because of the
man’s proclamations people kept coming to
(Jesus) from everywhere.
Imagine what that restoration
would feel like? To be in pain, bleeding,
hungry, ill clothed, smelly, and most likely homeless, uninvited to anyone’s home. Then, in an instant, to feel strong, sores
closed and vanished, senses which had become dulled returned! Able to go home! The line of the song “How can I keep from
singing?” comes to mind. What would I
do? What would you do? What do we do with the many (mostly minor)
miracles occurring around us every day?
O would we have to endure such a problem that people keep coming to God every
day, everywhere, because we could not help ourselves publicize what God does in
our lives.
Action
How might I make today
count? We live in turbulent times but
love abounds when one is ready to see it.
January 18 begins the 2015 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Join in this global effort for prayer and
dialogue which recognizes the enriching reality of diversity and seeks healing
unity. How can I enact the loving God
today amidst diversity and division? http://geii.org/week_of_prayer_for_christian_unity/theme_announcement_2015.html
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