PRI Reflections on Scripture • 6-28-24 - Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr

Finding God In Our Hearts with Msgr. Don Fischer

Gospel Matthew. 8:1-4
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.”
Reflection This story makes clear that if we see Jesus as who he says he is, if we believe that he can do what he promises to do, we will receive that gift. That's the promise.
Closing Prayer Father, it's hard for us to believe in your love for us, especially in our sinfulness and our disease. But give us that faith that this leper had, that knows that your desire is not to ever condemn us, but only to heal and free us. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.