A leper came to him [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “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.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. (Gospel for Feb. 14, Mk 1:40-42)
What profound faith this leper possessed. He knew beyond a doubt that Christ could heal him and make him clean. The leper’s humble cooperation with the healing grace of Christ allowed him to be cured. Do we recognize our own need to be healed? Do we approach Christ in the sacrament of confession with similar faith, saying to the Divine Physician, “If you wish, you can make me clean”? May we continually return to Christ on our knees, aware of our sins, so as to be made clean again through his mercy.
Challenge by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori:
This month, I challenge you to make a comprehensive examination of conscience at the end of each day and make at least one good and humble confession. Second, I challenge you to begin (or continue) viewing as a council the Knights of Columbus Into the Breach video series, putting a particular emphasis on the “Spiritual Warfare” episode.
Questions for Reflection:
The effects of the terrible disease of leprosy were impossible to ignore, but are there times when you forget the seriousness and horror of sin? Do you examine your conscience regularly, so that you might humbly know of your need to be made clean again? Do you seek to avoid those things which lead to sin, or are you careless or prideful when it comes to occasions of sin?