The healing of the paralytic in Capernaum reveals the connections between faith, forgiveness and healing. May our faith grow each day as we draw closer to the Lord and one another.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 1st Week of the Year (St. Anthony, Abbot)
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As Jesus heals the leper we comprehend an important truth: the Lord meets us where we are – in our brokenness and frailty – and helps us grow in newness of life. Simply put, we become more when we are touched by Christ.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 1st Week of the Year
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As Jesus heals the leper in the Gospel of Luke, we witness the profound compassion of the Lord, who longs for our TOTAL healing – body, mind, heart and soul. May we draw near to Christ for this healing and in turn seek to be agents of healing whenever possible.
Mass Readings – Friday after Epiphany
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The Samaritan who was healed from his leprosy by Jesus now draws near to the Lord in gratitude. May we look for Christ’s presence in our lives and swiftly respond as we grow closer to the Lord and one another.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 32nd Week of the Year
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Jonah’s dark response to the repentance of the people of Nineveh reveals a trap that lurks in our hearts: the desire to see others suffer for their sins. Yes, there will be natural consequences, but the Lord came to bring us healing and hope; will we do the same?
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 27th Week of the Year
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Study: Reflect on a time when you experienced healing. Who helped you?
Pray: Pray for the sick, especially those that you know.
Serve: How can you help be an agent of healing today? What circumstances or situations can you address to (re)connect others?
Mass Readings – 28th Sunday of the Year
Both Elisha and Jesus heal lepers in the 1st Reading & Gospel today. Take a moment to note these points about the encounter between Jesus and the 10 lepers in the Gospel of Luke:
Leprosy was (and still is) a horrible disease. Not only did it cause physical hardship as the body wasted away, but it separated lepers from loved ones in order to prevent them from catching the same sickness.
The encounter with Jesus changes this. The Lord not only restores their physical health, but at the same time he also returns them to their families and friends. They have their lives restored in body, heart and soul.
The sense of gratitude expressed by the leper who thanks Jesus touches two key points: First, he expresses gratitude for what God has done. Second, he is able to touch Jesus – something that he couldn’t do before because of the disease. This sense of thankfulness and connection reveals what can happen when we open our hearts to the Lord.
So where do you need healing in your life today? May we call upon the Lord with grateful hearts, as we seek healing…body & soul.
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Note: This post was first published on October 4, 2016.
As the disciples return praising God for the power they used in the name of Jesus, the Lord reveals this power as the fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation history. Our task today? To continue to let Jesus work through the daily offering of our lives.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 26th Week of the Year
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