Like the man in my story, thousands of people today are struggling with separation and isolation.
The situation of the leper in today’s Gospel passage is similar. He has been isolated from his family and society ever since he started showing signs of this highly contagious disease. We can imagine the emotional state of this isolated soul when he says to Jesus, “Lord if you wish, you can make me clean.” These words of the leper echo his agony of rejection, his mental and emotional anguish of isolation. These words also reveal his confidence and conviction!
His long isolation does not lessen his faith and hope in the power of a merciful God. His faith is not dampened by the horrors of his miseries. He knows his needs and trusts Jesus to help him. Jesus sees the strength of his faith and is deeply moved with compassion and replies: “I will do it.”
If you or I were in similar situations, would our confidence and conviction be as strong as the leper’s? Many of us and our family members are suffering from miseries of all sorts. We may separate and isolate ourselves from God and others by such miseries.
Jesus, who healed the leper who knelt before Him crying, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean,” is here with us today. Can we ask Him with the same conviction and confidence to touch and heal us to restore our relationships with God and one another, especially in our families?
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Father Jilson's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
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To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EDT, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
