Sunday 14 February 2021

Be Clean

 

A leper came to Jesus and, kneeling, he begged him, "If you choose, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!" (Mark 1:40-45)

Leprosy is a terrible illness. In those days 2000 years ago a leper was thrown out of every town and village. He was ostracised from society. He was feared. He lived alone, in poverty, starvation, and died alone. No family. No friends. No one to care for him or even bury him when he's dead.

Since then, we have had many plagues and epidemics throughout the world and throughout the years. 

And whenever they happen, people tend to react the same way. Suspicion and uneasiness as to its seriousness, fear as to how it could affect us and our loved ones, ignorance and contradictions as to what it is and how it is spread, conspiracy theories, confusion, every man for himself, and indeed many other emotions you can think of and add to the list.

But what does Jesus have to offer to this list of emotions?

Pity. Mercy. Love. Compassion. Healing. Hope. Salvation. New beginning. 

Can you add any more to Christ's list?

Better still, can you offer any of these to someone in need?

29 comments:

  1. ...Father Damian is an important figure in Hawaii.

    http://backroadstraveller.blogspot.com/2020/03/saint-damien-memorial.html

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    1. Thank you Tom. Yes, I know this order well. For a long time our priests were members of that order: SSCC - Sacre Coeur Sacre Coeur - The Order of the Holy Heart of Jesus and Mary.

      God bless.

      Delete
  2. We can only try to be compassionate and empathetic offering ourselves to others. Thenk you for this post! My best wishes to you!

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  3. This is without a doubt a beautiful post Victor.
    I would like to add "touch" the touch of a human hand.

    God's Blessings Victor ✝

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    1. Yes you are right, Jan. A touch can mean a lot.

      God bless always.

      Delete
  4. We need to remember how Jesus treated people and do the same, with God's help.
    Blessings, Victor!

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    1. He treated people one individual at a time. He did not click His fingers and a whole multitude was healed. He cared for every individual.

      God bless, Martha.

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  5. Try and understand their dilemna and offer assistance.

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  6. Until now, I'd forgotten how I felt when, as a child, I saw some movie (Ben Hur?) with horribly disfigured exiles ... my mother's hushed tones when she said, 'leper.' I'd no idea what that meant, except it was fearsome. Then, of course, the age of AIDS. Now COVID. Fear can sure cripple us, can't it?
    Better I choose faith.

    I like JFM's suggestion!

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    1. Every time there is an illness or an epidemic people react with fear first, not faith. God must be disappointed.

      God bless Mevely.

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  7. As you know, a good laugh does wonders now and then.

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  8. Dearest Victor,
    Yes, often people turn away from these still existing leprosy victims and it is about time to remove that stigma!
    https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2013/12/like-princess-diana-i-also-tried-to.html
    Below this post you also find my 6 min. presentation for the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta/Indonesia...
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Mariette for all the good works you did amongst the lepers. May God bless you always for this.

      I encourage our readers to click the link in your comment above and to visit your website. Thanx again, Mariette.

      God bless always.

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  9. The history of lepers is horrible. A brother of a friend Stephen Donaldson wrote "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the unbeliever". You might like it.

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  10. Such a dreadful disease. I'll add kindness to your list.

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    1. Thank you, Happyone. Kindness is good.

      God bless you.

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  11. It's our job to reach out to others or they won't see His love.

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  12. the same Jesus who was moved to compassion as He gazed on the crowds equips us to reach out to those we see all around us. with grace, kindness, patience, and understanding.

    i'm so grateful ...

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    1. Yes, you are right, Linda. We should be Christ to someone in need.

      God bless my friend.

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  13. The word that came to my mind was to also offer kindness, but I like Jan's thought of 'touch'

    I hope your Sunday has been a good one.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Kindness, touch, sympathy and also action to help those in need. Thank you so much, Jan.

      Best wishes and God bless you.

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  14. Jesus had unconditional love, which we need to have, and can only be achieved through growth in our Lord by learning His ways.

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