Matthew 8:1-4

Lectio (Reading)

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.
And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said,
“Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”
He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said,
“I will do it. Be made clean.”
His leprosy was cleansed immediately.
Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one,
but go show yourself to the priest,
and offer the gift that Moses prescribed;
that will be proof for them.”

Meditatio (Reflecting)

And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said,‚”I will do it. Be made clean.”

Oratio (Responding)

This line “if you wish, you can make me clean” is how I begin my nightly examine everyday. This is one of those statements of pure faith (like: “my Lord and my God”), that express the deepest yearnings of our hearts. We need to learn how to incorporate these expressions into our daily lives, because they speak to something that is very important in our lives, and that is to talk to God from our hearts.

The stain of sin is something that we alone as humans bring upon ourselves, and it is a stain that we cannot remove on our own. Only God has the power to remove this stain from our souls. And so we are then left with this humble petition for God to save us, and to clean us. He is not going to force himself on us, He will only cleanse us if we cooperate with Him, but He is more than willing to do it if we simply ask. So like the leper in this story, we must be humble in our petitions, but we must be bold in our asking. Do not be afraid, God is happy to help us, just simply ask.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)

Oh lord, help us today to humbly ask for your forgiveness, and allow you to clean us from the stain of sin, amen.