Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Heb. 3:7-14 | Ps. 95:6-11 | Mk. 1:40-459
Hebrews reminds us that the Holy Spirit is calling us to be attentive to God’s Word and not to harden our hearts. The author also reminds us that the Hebrews wandered in the desert because they refused to listen to God’s Word. The author wants us to know that God is in our midst, and we will be guided by God to lead others to Him. The Gospel picks up this theme when Jesus meets the leper who has great faith and says: “If you choose, you can make me clean.” The leper recognized the great gift of God in Jesus. He listened to the Holy Spirit and called out to Christ to heal him. Because of this great faith, Jesus responded: “ I do choose, be made clean!” Can you imagine what this leper experienced and how he felt?
Take time to imagine this scene as described in Mark. Put yourself in the scene. Ask Christ to come to your aid and heal you of all your wounds. Have faith similar to the leper. Call out to Him and believe. Hear Christ respond: “I choose, be healed.” How will you express your gratitude? Remember, “do not harden your heart.”