A WORD FOR TODAY 14 FEBRUARY 2021

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*COME TO JESUS FOR YOUR HEALING

_"And a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I will; be clean.”(Mark 1:40-41)_

_*The readings of today present us with the story of lepers and how they were treated in the past and also how Jesus in His compassion changed the status quo and made the leper who came to Him to find the help he needed. Leprosy is a disease that made people unclean, once you are diagnosed with it, you will be ostracised from the community and pronounced unclean. You can only be reunited with the people if you are confirmed healed by God who alone can heal the disease.*_

_The leper is not just physically sick, but also emotionally, phychologically, socially, mentally and spiritually wounded. They are seen as outcasts who are cursed by God and suffering as a result of their sins. They are abandoned and cannot associate with anyone in the community and in extreme cases they are considered to be dead._

_*In the gospel reading of today we see the encounter between Jesus and the leper who came to Him. The leper was courageous to approach Jesus whom He knew has the power to help him without discrimination. He recognised his problem, detested his condition, made a movement out of his colony and was not ashamed or pretended to be fine, but spoke out so as to find help. He asked for help from the right source and he believed in the power of Jesus to restore him. He raised his faith level and his life was changed forever.*_

_The disease was a big load on the shoulder of the leper and he desperately needed someone to lift it off. We must, like the leper approach Jesus with faith in our times of need, both physical and spiritual. We must draw closer to Him, because He has the power to heal us and make us well again._

_*Sin is a disease worse than leprosy and it is eating us up everyday, if we can become uncomfortable like the leper, detest our sins and approach Jesus in the Sacrament of confession, we shall find the healing and restoration we need from the compassionate Jesus. Jesus did not reject the leper and did not treat him as an outcast, but touched him, took away his sickness and gave him healing. He will do the same for you if you will approach Him today with faith.*_

_We must also learn to be compassionate like Jesus and assist those in need to find the help they need. We must help the sick to find healing, the weak to become strong, we must show some care and love to the abandoned, elderly and people living with disabilities, we must not discriminate against anyone even if they are the worst of sinners, but through our love win them over to God._

_*Come to Jesus today and you will find the healing and help you need.(Matthew 11:28/Psalm 50:15). It does not matter how long sin has held you in captivity, call upon Jesus and He will touch you, heal you, restore your joy(Psalm 30:5) and you will witness for Him like the leper did. Rise up today and make a movement of faith towards Jesus. Live above your problem, do not allow your problem to weigh you down, instead weigh your problem down, because you have a helper in Jesus. Jesus showed real and authentic love to the leper and that is what we are expected to give as we celebrate Valentine's day. We must give and share true love and not exploit and manipulate others in the name of love.*_

_Good Morning dearest one. Smile 😊as you begin your day and do have a beautiful and miraculous Sunday. May Jesus hear your cry for help and may He come to your aid and heal you. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Leviticus 13:1-2,44-46/Psalm 32:1-2,5,11/1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1/Mark 1:40-45

*Watch-Word:* If you will, you can make me clean.

*Never let what people say stop you from reaching out to Jesus who can heal you and treat you differently from the way they have treated you.*

(Sixth Sunday in the ordinary time. Cycle B)