January 13, 2022, Thursday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time-C
1 Samuel 4:1-11
Psalm 44
Mark 1:40-45
“If you wish, you can make me clean”. Mark 1:40
Jesus remained outside in deserted places…Mark 1:45
Lord, today we listen to the prayer of an unnamed leper. This man’s petition expresses a confident faith that nothing is beyond your power. Even a horrible skin disease, thought to be a deadly condition, can be made clean by your willing it. This story reminds me of the angel’s words to your mother Mary: “Nothing is impossible for God.” You not only removed this man’s death sentence but you restored his life so he could return to his family, community and his church. You took the place of the man with leprosy by remaining outside of the community. Just like you took my place on the cross. Lord, help me to pray with the confident trust of this man. Bring me to believe that no situation or condition in my life is too much for you. No disease too deadly, no relationship too broken, no financial state too desperate. And no sin unforgivable. I kneel at your feet, dear Jesus, and surrender to your will. I am confident that whatever your will for me is-I’m OK with it. Thank you for hearing my prayer. Amen.