Complete Healing

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/011119.cfm) reminds me that God gives us complete healing.

The first reading tells us that victors are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Looks weird at first glance. Why would believing in Jesus as the Son of God make one a victor? Well, we see that this is true through the gospel. We see an example of this in the gospel. 

During the time of Jesus, lepers were considered outcasts in society. They were unclean, and they were not allowed to mingle with people, so as not to make others unclean as well. Thus, they lived alone and away from the city and the people. This is where the man in the gospel is coming from. We see how desperate he was – when he kneeled and begged Jesus to clean him. He believed in Jesus as the Son of God. He believed in the power and ability of Jesus. Jesus did heal him, and gave him more.

God is so generous and loving that he gives us more than we ask for.

The man asked to be made clean, but Jesus gave him more than that. Aside from cleaning and healing him, Jesus gave him the opportunity to be back in society, to be accepted again by the leaders. That is why he told him to show himself to the priest, so the priest may verify that he is clean already, and can accept him back to society. However, this is not automatic. Just as the man had to come to Jesus and ask to be healed, he must again do his part and go to the priest to be welcomed back to society. If he will not do his part, Jesus healing cannot take its full course. We also need to do our part. 

What are my prayers right now? Do I have faith that God has the capability and the power to heal me and grant me my hearts desires as according to his will? Do I believe in Him? Am I willing to do my part for my healing and my salvation? 

God sees beyond our prayers. He knows what we need, even before we pray for them and even if we ourselves do not know it. May this move us to just trust in God, and do our part.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for loving me so much. Thank you for the reminder that you know what I need, even before I ask and even if I myself do not know it. Sorry for not having that much faith in you. Sorry for being affected by the world. Help me to have faith in you, your plans, and your word. Help me act like the man in the gospel. I have faith in you. May I do my part and obey and surrender to you. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

January 11 2019

Friday after Epiphany
Lectionary: 216

Reading 1 1 JN 5:5-13

Beloved:
Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came through water and Blood, Jesus Christ,
not by water alone, but by water and Blood.
The Spirit is the one who testifies,
and the Spirit is truth.
So there are three who testify,
the Spirit, the water, and the Blood,
and the three are of one accord.
If we accept human testimony,
the testimony of God is surely greater.
Now the testimony of God is this,
that he has testified on behalf of his Son.
Whoever believes in the Son of God
has this testimony within himself.
Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar
by not believing the testimony God has given about his Son.
And this is the testimony:
God gave us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son.
Whoever possesses the Son has life;
whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life.

I write these things to you so that you may know
that you have eternal life,
you who believe in the name of the Son of God.

Responsorial Psalm PS 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20

R. (12a)  Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia SEE MT 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 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.