Daily Inspiration

“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.” -Luke 5:12-15
 
Living with leprosy was a lonely existence, requiring the afflicted to be separated from the people. It reminds me of the loneliness of living in sin, which causes our separation from God. It is no coincidence that Jesus often chose to heal those who suffered that separation. It is why He came: to unite us to the Father and end our suffering.
 
Here, Jesus tells us that it is our decision if we are to be cleansed and united with the Father. When we go to confession, it is as if we are the lepers from Scripture. We see Christ in the confessional; we fall prostrate and plead, ‘Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.’ 
 
This scene in Scripture is lived out again and again, each time we receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. We earnestly ask Jesus to heal us so we may be reconciled and returned to the Father, and He answers, “I do will it. Be made clean.” Like the leper, our separation from God is removed as we withdraw in prayer to complete our penance.
  
Merry Christmas!
 
Saint William of Bourges, pray for us.
 
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Jesus, I trust in you.