Readings: 1 John 5:5-13; Psalm 147; Luke 5:12-16
In the Gospel of today, we have the account of how Jesus touched and cured a leper.
Let us shift our attention to this leper. He knew how terrible his problem was. He also knew that everyone thought his problem was hopeless. He had no previous example of Jesus healing a leper to give him hope. He had no invitation from Jesus or His disciples, and yet he came to Jesus and said: “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”
This is so significant because, in those days, leprosy was seen as a hopeless case. In fact healing leprosy was compared to raising the dead. Frequently, lepers took their own lives out of shame and hopelessness, and yet this leper knew that all Jesus needed was to be willing to help him.
This is the kind of faith in Jesus Christ that St. John tells us that we need in today’s First Reading. It is not just the faith that believes that God can do the impossible. It is not just the faith that says “I will never let you go unless you bless me.” It is the faith that puts His will before our needs. It is the faith that comes with submission rather than desperation. It is the faith that enables us to say “If you will”, “Whatever you will”, ” Not what I want but what you want.” It takes faith to ask for what we want and expect it. It takes even greater faith to be willing to receive what He wants to give, even if it’s different from what we ask.
Dear friends, the Lord is saying to us today:
A. Your situation is not hopeless. No situation or condition is ever hopeless when God is in the equation (Jeremiah 32:27).
B. Our God is able to do whatever He wills (Psalm 115:3). Take note of the word “Whatever.”
C. Our prayers must follow the pattern of this leper, “Lord, if you will.” That is, “what I want is not enough, your will is what is most important. I know that your will for me is the best for me.”
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on January 7, 2021.