Daily Inspiration

“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.” -Mark 1:40-45
 
Leprosy is a physical example of sin's spiritual effects on our souls. Because of his condition, the leper becomes covered in sores and is separated from society to live a painful and lonely existence. When we allow sin into our lives, it covers our souls, making them unclean and causing a painful and lonely separation from God.
 
When we find ourselves covered in the scale of sin, we must approach Jesus just as the lepers did. We must fall to our knees, lie prostrate in our desperation for healing, and submit ourselves to the mercy of God.  
 
Jesus waits in the confessional to hear us ask, ‘Jesus, if you wish, you can make me clean.’ He pities all who approach Him this way, bathing them in the ocean of His mercy. We offer our penance to the Lord, and then, like the lepers of old, we tell everyone. If only the whole world knew about the saving grace that Christ gives in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.         
 
Saint Priscilla of Rome, pray for us.
 
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Jesus, I trust in you.