February 13, 2021

“If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” – Mark 1:40-41

In this Sunday’s gospel, we have a leper presenting himself to Jesus, asking to be healed. And what does Jesus do? Jesus stretches out his hand and with His healing power, touches the leper and makes him clean.

Our God is not a far away, pie in the sky Lord who stays apart from us, looking down to keep tabs on His creation, hoping to catch us in our failures. On the contrary, we have a God who is here. Our God is close, so close He longs to touch us and to make us clean. He loves us up close and personal.

We have to open ourselves to God’s love, God’s healing power. We need to look inside our hearts, acknowledge where we fall short, and present ourselves, shortcomings and all, to God just as the leper in Mark’s gospel did. Once we are honest with ourselves and open with our God, we can be made clean, too. God will rush to us, stretch out His healing hand, and make us whole.

What areas in our lives need to be made clean today? Do we harbor anger? Are we selfish? Are we experiencing envy? Are we dissatisfied at work or home? Whatever our need, God is here, waiting for us to call on Him; God hears, God provides, God heals. All glory and thanks be to God!

Jesus, I trust in you.



©Mary V. Pribbenow