Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 10, 2025

Date: Friday after Epiphany

Scripture Text: Luke 5:12-16

It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”

Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately. Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”

The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text from Luke recounts Jesus’ healing of a leper. We learn from this of the possibilities when we take our needs to Christ who does will that we be whole.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

What are my needs that I should bring to Christ in faith, trusting in His loving will for me?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Savior, we come to You this day like the leper, confident in your loving power and presence. We bring to You our most urgent needs, and with hope we spread them before You and seek your help. Send your Spirit to guide us and strengthen us for our journey with You, in You and through You. Grant that through our love for You and our lives in You we may bring glory to our Almighty Heavenly Father. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.