“SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER”
Daily Spiritual Reflections
7th January 2022
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FRIDAY, OCTAVE OF EPIPHANY
1 Jn 5: 5-13; Ps 147: 12-15, 19-20; Lk 5: 12-16
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TRUE HEALING COMES FROM COMPLETE SURRENDER
Jesus is already aware of our situation and our needs. He does not wait for us to ask for his help, but comes to us and enquires if we need help, just as he asked the helpless sick man at the pool of Bethsaida, “Do you want to be healed? “ After hearing the reply of the sick man, Jesus says, “Get up, pick up your bed and walk.” Jesus is also telling us something similar. He tells us to get up from our bed of sinfulness, and walk in the cleansing light of God. We know and believe that Jesus is the light of the Father that drives away all evil and gives us the grace to overcome the darkness of sin. That is why Jesus is very specific when he adds another sentence, “Go and sin no more.” We need to take these words seriously if we need complete healing and purification of our souls.
In the gospel passage today, we realize another aspect of the healing ministry of Jesus. The leper throws himself at the feet of Jesus and begs for healing while affirming his readiness to accept the will of Jesus. His readiness is shown by desire. He had transgressed all the norms of the law to meet Jesus, and then he does not also put any restrictions or time limits for his own healing. The sick man is already aware that God has his own ways, and works in his own time. In essence, he has submitted his will to the will of Jesus. And it is this total submission in faith and trust that brought him the healing he needed. Jesus also, not only cures the leper but also wants the cured person to be able to live with others. He once again inserts the person into the society so that he could live together with others.
Announcing the Good News means to give witness of the concrete experience that one has of Jesus. The healed man told others the good that Jesus had done to him. And thus his witness impels others to accept the Good News, brought by Jesus. As St Teresa of Avila rightly said: “When you go to heaven, you will be taking many others along with you.”
Response: O Jerusalem, glorify the Lord!.
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