Friday after Epiphany – 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15,19-20; Luke 5:12-16
Luke tells the story of a man with leprosy who spots Jesus, falls flat on his face, and begs him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” In that moment, Jesus reaches out, touches him, and gently replies, “‘I will; be clean.”
Imagine the desperation in that poor man’s heart. Even a flicker of hope—like a drowning person frantically grabbing for a lifeline—was enough to bring him to Jesus. Perhaps our friend with leprosy thought this was his final shot. He says, “If you will…” because, deep down, he’s not sure. Does Jesus really see him? Does He even have time?
Yet Jesus makes it clear: “I will.” That’s massive. Suddenly, it’s not just the leprosy that vanishes, but the crushing weight of feeling worthless. In that moment, the biggest miracle might be this man’s dawning realisation that Someone truly cares, that he matters.
Lord, we know you want to heal us—body and soul. Fill our hearts with your fiery love and make us clean. May we never stop sharing your boundless mercy with everyone we meet. Amen.