When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.
And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said,
Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.
He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said,
I will do it. Be made clean.
His leprosy was cleansed immediately.
Then Jesus said to him,
See that you tell no one,
but go show yourself to the priest,
and offer the gift that Moses prescribed;
that will be proof for them.
— Matthew 8:1-4
The peace of the Lord be with you. To be a leper in the time of Jesus meant to be separated from family, friends ,and community. As Jesus reaches out and makes this leper clean he removes from him all those barriers that separate him from others and restores his place in the community. In much the same way as we seek out healing and reconciliation from Jesus we too are able to more participate more fully in the family and community of God. As we begin this new day may we thank God for the blessings we will receive and ask him to make us clean so we fully participate in His plan for the life of the world. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.