Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 11, 2024

Date:  Thursday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time

 Scripture Text:  Mark 1:40-45

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 the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today continues our daily reading of Mark. Today’s text recounts Jesus' encounter with a leper whose condition and plea move Jesus to heal him. We see, though, that the man exhibits faith in Jesus’ power and authority even before the healing.  

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I approach Jesus in my need? Do I recognize His power? Do I have faith in His care for me?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, always and everywhere we are your people, daughters and sons, disciples, temples of your living presence among us. Grant that we may always and everywhere recognize your great and abiding presence among us and your transformative love within us. Open our minds and hearts to the possibilities of life with You always and everywhere. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.