The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today testify to the Nature of Christ and exhort us to act in recognition of our healing to be workers in His Vineyard.
The reading from the First Letter of John presents testimony concerning the Son of God.
* [5:6–12] Water and blood (1 Jn 5:6) refers to Christ’s baptism (Mt 3:16–17) and to the shedding of his blood on the cross (Jn 19:34). The Spirit was present at the baptism (Mt 3:16; Mk 1:10; Lk 3:22; Jn 1:32, 34). The testimony to Christ as the Son of God is confirmed by divine witness (1 Jn 5:7–9), greater by far than the two legally required human witnesses (Dt 17:6). To deny this is to deny God’s truth; cf. Jn 8:17–18. The gist of the divine witness or testimony is that eternal life (1 Jn 5:11–12) is given in Christ and nowhere else. To possess the Son is not acceptance of a doctrine but of a person who lives now and provides life. (1 John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 147 offers praise for God’s Care for Jerusalem.
* [Psalm 147] The hymn is divided into three sections by the calls to praise in Ps 147:1, 7, 12. The first section praises the powerful creator who restores exiled Judah (Ps 147:1–6); the second section, the creator who provides food to animals and human beings; the third and climactic section exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created and made the place of disclosure for God’s word, a word as life-giving as water. (Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Cleanses a Leper.
* [5:12] Full of leprosy: see note on Mk 1:40.
* [5:14] Show yourself to the priest…what Moses prescribed: this is a reference to Lv 14:2–9 that gives detailed instructions for the purification of one who had been a victim of leprosy and thereby excluded from contact with others (see Lv 13:45–46, 49; Nm 5:2–3). That will be proof for them: see note on Mt 8:4. (Luke, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Steve Scholer asks what ever happened to good old humility? Sad but true, the world of today equates humility with someone who is unsure of themselves or has low self-esteem.
If our goal is to live a more Christ-centered life, then we must learn to temper our egos. We must surrender ourselves to God’s will. In so doing, we are affirming God’s omnipotent hand in all we do, each day of our lives. With humility comes a grateful heart, as we become more and more aware of the blessings that God bestows on us. By practicing this simple act, we will nurture and grow our faith.
So, as we continue on in this all too messy world, let us find our own deserted place to pray, to humbly reflect on our flaws and also on our talents, and what we can do to correct or grow them so we can better serve the Lord. Hopefully, by nurturing our own humility, we will become more Christ-like, more willing to forgive, more open to the views of others, more engaged in serving others with our time, talent and treasure.
So with humility lets pray…..
Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.
- Ignatius Loyola (Scholer, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus' healing demonstrates the power of the kingdom of heaven,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"The authority of power in the Lord is here compared with the steadfastness of faith manifest in the leper (Luke 5:12-13). He fell on his face because it is a mark of humility and modesty that each feel shame for the sins of his life, but shyness did not restrict his confession. He showed the wound, he begged for the remedy, and the very confession is full of piety and faith. 'If you will,' it says, 'you can make me clean'" He conceded the power to the Lord's will. But he doubted concerning the Lord's will, not as if unbelieving in piety, but as if aware of his own impurity, he did not presume. The Lord replies to him with a certain holiness. 'I will: be clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.' For there is nothing between God's command and his work, because the work is in the command. Thus he spoke, and they came into being (Psalm 33:9). You see that it cannot be doubted that the will of God is power. If, therefore, his will is power, those who affirm that the Trinity is of One will affirm that it is of one power. Thus the leprosy departed immediately. In order that you may understand the effect of healing, he added truth to the work." (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.2-3) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 5:12-16 comments that just as diseases like leprosy separated sufferers from their community, sin can separate us from those around us. It also separates us from Jesus, the very One who is so eager to heal our hearts.
Jesus’ hand is always outstretched. He is always ready to heal us—and to give us the strength to turn away from sin. Today’s Gospel is proof that we can meet Jesus just as we are right now, even if we are “full” of sin (Luke 5:12). You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to eliminate every sinful habit, personal struggle, and doubt before he will love you. He is waiting for you to turn to him and say, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean” (5:12).
“Lord, please heal anything that is separating me from you and my loved ones.” (Meditation on Luke 5:12-16, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the victory of Jesus proclaimed in 1 John over those people in the world who reject the love of God. The symbols of water and blood represent Baptism and Eucharist as Sacraments of eternal life. Friar Jude notes that Jesus' healing action connects with realised eschatology that occurs when Jesus enters our lives.
Brian McLaren, at the recent Students of Life conference, encouraged the CAC community to practice “engaged contemplation” as a way to participate in a movement for healing, justice, and peace in the world.
We are so blessed in the Christian tradition to have so many amazing leaders and teachers who have been creating circles of healing and peace for generations. It is truly inspiring to learn from their examples. But our job is not only to learn from them, but more: to join them in this ongoing work in the world. Marine biologist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and climate activist Katharine K. Wilkinson write, “Let’s move forward with love, not conquest; humility, not righteousness; generous curiosity, not hardened assumptions. It is a magnificent thing to be alive in a moment that matters so much. Let’s proceed with broken-open hearts, seeking truth, summoning courage, and focused on solutions.” [1]
Can we accept this magnificent opportunity? To be alive in a moment that matters so much? Dare we believe that this contemplative work and exploration and study that we’re engaged with is not to just make us happier people, but rather to help us be partners together in loving action?
[1] Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson, “Onward.” in All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis (One World, 2020), 374. (McLaren, n.d.)
We are grateful for the talents and opportunities we have received and we seek the guidance of the Spirit as we move forward with our healing to care for the people and world around us.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/5?12
McLaren, B. (n.d.). Participating Today. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/participating-today/
Meditation on Luke 5:12-16. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/01/10/1177162/
1 John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/5?5
Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/147?12
Scholer, S. (2025, January 10). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/011025.html
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Lord, You Can Make Me Clean. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jan10
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