A Little Leprosy in All of Us
Today’s Gospel about the leper presenting himself to Jesus and asking for a cure is one of my favorites. The courage and desperation of the leper and his blind faith in Jesus are wondrous when we know the stigma attached to leprosy at that time. And Jesus’ answer was the most compassionate and loving words he could have spoken. Just four words changed that leper’s life: “I do will it.”
We are celebrating the last Sunday before Lent this weekend. It may do us all some good to check up on the state of leprosy within us. If we can identify the parts of ourselves that we hide, are ashamed of, and need healing, we can prepare our hearts for the best Lent possible. We all have leprosy. The only question we need to ask ourselves is, are we brave enough to call it out from the hidden places of our souls. Will we pray for the strength to look Jesus in the eye and say the leper’s words, “If You will to do so, you can cure me?” A spiritual checkup may help.
Do I have the leprosy of selfishness? Is my life really all about me and what I want and need? Do I put myself first, ensuring my needs are met before giving my time or treasure to others?
Do I have the leprosy of greed? Can I say enough is enough? Can I look at the excesses in my life and recognize the need for “too much” owns me? Am I greedy with the people around me, demanding that I be the center of their attention?
Can I give others credit, even undeserved praise, and allow myself to stand back and allow another to receive accolades?
Do I have the leprosy of a hardened heart? When I make up my mind and my heart steel, is it impenetrable by logic or love? Do I live by the motto that it is “my way or the highway”?
Do I have the leprosy of a judgmental attitude? Am I unable to accept those who are different from me? Do I find reasons and excuses to put them down and banish them and their beliefs from my life? When someone thinks differently from me, does it make me angry?
Do I have the leprosy of doubt? Do I hide my quest for faith and my desire to believe? Am I afraid to admit to myself that I sometimes don’t know what I believe? Have I clung to the faith of my childhood because I fear there would be no grown-up faith to replace it? Do I live by the rules of religion without understanding and allowing the love of faith to enter my heart?
Do I have the leprosy of a denial of my God-given gifts? Do I recognize and use the blessings God has given me freely, or do I spend my time complaining about the skills I don’t have? Do I hide my light under a bushel or share it with those around me?
Do I have the leprosy of abuse? Do I abuse people or substances? Do I belittle or criticize those in my life instead of affirming with love? Do I allow substances like alcohol, drugs, sex, rage, or an attitude of superiority to reign supreme in my life? Do I let them be most important?
Do I have the leprosy of an unwillingness to forgive? Am I willing to forgive those who have hurt me and not hold a grudge? Am I willing to forgive myself when I fail? Do I pick myself up and start again, or do I beat myself up psychologically and spiritually when I fall? Do I allow God to forgive me?
There is some leprosy in all of us. Lent is the perfect time to come to terms with the damage it is doing to our bodies, hearts, and souls and make our way to Jesus and say with the leper, “If you will to do so, you can cure me.” Then we will hear the most beautiful words from the mouth of our Savior, “I do will it.” May you know all the best blessings of Lent.
In God’s Unending Love,
Gwen
