The Gospels from Mark have been speaking to us about Jesus’ healing of mind, body, and spirit for the last two weeks. In this week’s Gospel (Mark 1: 40-45), we hear of the story of the leper, whom Jesus “cleanses,” releasing him from his malady. Next weekend, we will hear of the story of the paralytic, who picks up his mat and walks away, healed and made whole.
These readings are preparing us for the upcoming season of Lent which is just two weeks away. The accounts are made known to us so that we may understand the healing powers of Jesus as we pray for our own needs. In the song, “There is a Balm in Gilead,” the lyrics cry out for cleansing and healing for a sin-sick soul. The lament has a simple message of encouragement for those wounded by sin and sadness. And who among us doesn’t need encouragement?
Have you ever taken a look through the pages of the “Book of Prayer Intentions” in the vestibule of our church? We write down our needs, our prayers, and our own laments in the book, trusting them to God’s mercy and will. When the book is full, the pages are brought to prayer groups and prayed over. Once a month we offer those intentions up to God’s will in our General Intercessions at Mass. They are never forgotten or disregarded. Some are distributed to those making pilgrimages to shrines.
Please continue to pray for the intentions listed there.
As the song says, “You can tell the love of Jesus, and say he died for all!” As we get closer to the season of Lent, let us unite our own suffering with that of Jesus, and pray for healing from our own wounds of sin which prevent us from experiencing true spiritual freedom.
