Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 5, 12-16
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.
The leprosy left him immediately
1. Full of leprosy. Today, you and I might have wounds that affect our whole lives, wounds that prevent us from revealing our true selves. Think about how many times you’ve been hurt or deeply wounded. Pain changes you; it alters your identity, your attitude, and your character because these wounds run so deep. Some people hide their pain behind a hard exterior, pretending to be strong. Others, on the other hand, expose their wounds to everyone, hurting themselves more and making those around them feel responsible or guilty. They may take on the role of a victim, seeking attention from others. But simply covering up your wounds isn’t the same as truly healing them.
2. Jesus touched him. Drawing near to God brings healing and cleansing, but the first step is to genuinely desire healing. Sometimes, people resist healing—they dwell on past wounds and refuse to let go, even seeking revenge, thinking it will bring relief. Allow yourself to trust Jesus and open up to his healing, beginning with a willingness to get better. Accept help and let God care for you. If you don’t allow others to help, your wounds can’t heal. Be open to advice and support from those who love you. Let go of pride and the idea that you must do everything on your own. Seek comfort and support. Today, ask yourself, what wounds do you want to heal?
3. Pray. Jesus always returned to what was most important—prayer. I deeply respect Orthodox and Eastern Christian traditions for their focus on this. Observing the monks of Mount Athos and their spiritual practices, I’m struck by their profound spirituality and awareness of God’s presence. “The Way of a Pilgrim,” a classic book on Orthodox spirituality, was especially meaningful to me when I first entered the seminary. It taught me that what truly matters is being with Jesus and speaking with Him. Everything else—status, power, fame—will pass, but Jesus remains. In the Western world, we’re often known for our busyness and emphasis on action over contemplation. Slow down and make time to be alone with God, to talk to Him in your own way, and to remember who you are and where you’re going.
Remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
