1st Week in Ordinary Time
He stretched out his hand. (Mark 1:41)
In Jesus’ day, skin diseases like leprosy had a profound effect on people’s relationships. Considered unclean and even contagious, lepers were cast out of their homes and villages. They were forced to keep their distance from anyone healthy. They could never spend time with their friends or embrace their children. They were alone, isolated.
Most of us have probably not experienced this kind of physical isolation, but we might have felt other kinds of isolation. Maybe we feel that no one understands us or our struggles. Or maybe we feel unworthy of God’s love—or of the love of other people—because of past sins. But whatever isolation we may feel, Jesus wants to come to us and touch us, just as he did this fellow.
Imagine how he must have felt: separated from all he held dear, struggling under the common assumption that his sins had caused his disease. It’s impressive that he even drew the courage to approach Jesus. “If you wish, you can make me clean,” he says (Mark 1:40). He has no doubt that Jesus can heal him; he just isn’t sure that Jesus wants to do it. You can imagine the thoughts behind his request: “I know you can make me clean, but you probably don’t want to. You probably look at me with the same revulsion that my neighbors have toward me. I don’t blame you if you decide to pass me by.”
Of course, Jesus will have none of this. He stretches out his hand, touches the man, and heals him—both physically and spiritually. Through that one gesture of physical contact, he removes the man’s disease and welcomes him back into his community. This man’s heart must have thrilled at Jesus’ embrace. At last, he felt like he belonged again!
Jesus says the same thing to us. “Of course I want to touch you and embrace you. Of course you belong. Of course you’re good enough. Yes, I know you have sins and challenges to deal with, but so does everyone else. You’re no different. Come, let me touch you and hold you close.”
Jesus is always ready to touch us, to soothe our fears, to heal our guilty conscience. He is always ready to welcome us into his embrace. What a generous Savior we have!
“Jesus, I need your touch today.”
1 Samuel 4:1-11
Psalm 44:10-11, 14-15, 24-25
Daily Marriage Tip for January 11, 2018:
(Reader Tip) Praying together as a couple and a family has carried us through some tough years. We always try to attend Mass together.