William Hutton, an English Poet and Historian says, “The charity that hastens to proclaim its good deeds ceases to be charity and is only pride and ostentation.” Jesus healed and cleansed the leper, saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone” (Mark 1:43). But the Leper could not withhold his excitement. Why would Jesus tell him to say nothing about the miracle? Was he afraid of appearing to be proud? Was he afraid too many people would be coming to him?
Unable to contain his joy, the leper began to publicize the whole experience. He had been suffering from an awful debilitating disease and most likely was losing hope. He had come to Jesus, knelt humbly before Him, and expressed his profound faith. He said, “If you wish, make me clean.” Jesus, of course, did wish to make him clean and healed him immediately. The man was so excited he ignored Jesus’s order to tell no one and went off telling everyone.
As a result, the Gospel tells us Jesus’ fame and reputation exploded, and curiosity about Him spread everywhere. People sought Him out with such interest that “It was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.”
But instead of embracing His instant fame, Jesus went off to deserted places waiting for people to seek Him out because His life was about fostering authentic conversion of souls, not cultivating popularity. He wasn’t interested in the esteem of worldly opinion but only in changing hearts. Therefore, by withdrawing into deserted places, He let the Father in Heaven bring those open to authentic conversion to Him. The same is true with us.
During our journey here on earth, we see much evidence of Jesus working in our lives and our world. This evidence only sometimes makes headlines in the national news. And so, he waits in quiet places for us to come to Him.
To find Him, we must diligently seek Him in the hidden and quiet places where He waits for us and share his news with others.
Let us reflect upon the image of Jesus waiting for us in silence. Where is He waiting for you to come and meet Him? Seek Him out, and when you discover Him, you will be excited and want to share your story as the leper did.
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