A resounding defeat. This is what the Israelites suffer not once, but twice in today’s first reading from 1 Samuel 4. After losing a battle to the Philistines, the Israelites bring the ark of God into battle with them. The Philistines then kill 30,000 men, and take the ark of God. Ouch! In our Gospel reading from Mark 1, Jesus heals a leper.
The leper comes and says to Jesus, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus replies, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately. Jesus then tells him, “See that you tell no one anything.” Well, the guy just couldn’t keep his mouth shut. The Scripture tells us, “The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad…” So much for that little secret!
Are we like that leper? In one way we certainly are, in that Jesus heals us, too. But when we receive our healing, our blessings from the Lord, are we then silent? Do we keep these things to ourselves? Or do we share our good news with others? (Hint: it should be the latter.) When God does great things in our lives (and He does, every day), we need to let others know. Why? So that they, too, can go to Jesus and be healed of their leprosy.
Father, give us the grace to share the good news with everyone. Teach us to shout from the rooftops about the healing power of Your Son, Christ Jesus. Amen.
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