October 9th - Reflection

Luke 5:12-16 (NRSV)
A leper healed

Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean." Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do choose. Be made clean." Immediately the leprosy left him. And he ordered him to tell no one. "Go," he said, "and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them." But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.

Reflection
Jesus chooses to cure us in the ultimate matter. Sometimes we come to Jesus with requests for healing. Jesus, heals us in ways we can't understand. Jesus chooses to heal us in a manner that makes us clean. We live a broken life in sin. And in that sin there is disease, and decay. When we come to Jesus we are freed from this disease of sin and decay in a life giving way. Jesus staked his very life to save us from death and give us new life. But this new life begins even in the midst of our disease of sin and decay. Our new life comes to fruition and is born in the depths of our sin and decay. As we turn to Jesus for healing, he welcomes us with open hands and arms to freely and graciously rescue us. For Jesus knows that his own life has been given to free us from this decay and death. What more could we ever want? Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I'm reaching out...grasp my hand and give me that life that comes out of this decay I am trapped in. My life is yours to mold and change. --- Amen