Date: Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time/Memorial of St. Irenaeus
Scripture Text: Matthew 8:1-4
When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”
Breaking the text open – background and summary:
The gospel text for today from Matthew immediately follows Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This passage is significant because it is a bridge from the three previous chapters that focused on Jesus as teacher of the Word to Jesus as doer of the Word. It also reminds us that Jesus does more than wish to make us clean. His life with us is for us so that we might be free of the stain of sin.
Meditating on the text with personal questions:
Do I bring my needs to Christ recognizing in Him one who wishes to help me?
Praying:
LORD, Almighty Father, You gave us your only begotten Son as our brother and savior. You sent Him to us to teach us “the way,” to reveal to us “the truth,” and to open for us “the life” in abundance with You. Send your Spirit to steer us to your Son, to bring our needs to your Son, to ask for His help because of His love for us and for You. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.
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