Mark 1:40-45 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:40-45 on biblegateway.com
Verse 40A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean." Verse 41Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!" Verse 42Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. Verse 43After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, Verse 44saying to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." Verse 45But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.
Devotion
In faith and humility, the man suffering from leprosy begs Christ, "If you choose, you can make me clean." Crossing the ritual social barrier of uncleanliness, Christ immediately responded "with pity." However, some ancient authorities indicate the original text may have said Christ responded "with anger." Similar pleas to "choose" healing continue even now.
Today, our neighbors throughout the world also beg us to choose to help heal them from countless illnesses. Diseases like malaria are most prevalent among people who live in poverty and lack access to health care, education, adequate nutrition and other resources denied to them by unjust social barriers. When will we, like Christ, reach across geographic and cultural barriers in response to our neighbors' pleas? When will we also react with anger to the injustices our sisters and brothers face? When will we choose to share our divinely given resources to support God's healing work?
Prayer
Great Physician, your Son showed us the vital importance of healing ministry. Inspire and empower us to respond to our neighbors’ pleas for healing with compassionate hearts that generously share resources. Help us boldly oppose injustice that deprives our neighbors of health and life. Amen.