Reflect, today, on the words of Jesus in today's Gospel

A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down he prayed to him and said, "If you wish, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him and said to him: “I want it. Be purified. "Mark 1: 40–41"I will do it." These four little words are worth delving into and reflecting on. At first, we may read these words quickly and lose their depth and meaning. We can simply jump to what Jesus wants and lose the fact of His own will. But his act of will is significant. Of course, what he wanted is also significant. The fact that he treated a leper has great significance and significance. It certainly shows us its authority over nature. It shows its almighty power. It shows that Jesus can heal all wounds that are analogized with leprosy. But don't miss those four words: "I will". First of all, the two words "I do" are sacred words used at different times in our liturgies and are used to profess faith and commitment. They are used in marriages to establish an indissoluble spiritual union, are used in baptisms and other sacraments to publicly renew our faith, and are also used in the ordination rite of priests as he makes his solemn promises. Saying "I do" is what one might call "action words". These are words that are also an act, a choice, a commitment, a decision. These are words that influence who we are and what we choose to become.

Jesus also adds “… he will do it”. So Jesus isn't just making a personal choice here or a personal commitment to his life and beliefs; rather, his words are an action that is effective and that makes a difference for another. The mere fact that He wants something, and then sets that will in motion with His words, means that something has happened. Something is changed. An act of God was done.

It would be of great benefit for us to sit down with these words and meditate on the kind of meaning they have in our life. When Jesus tells us these words, what does he want? What is the "it" to which it refers? He definitely has a particular will for our lives and is definitely willing to put it into action in our lives if we are willing to listen to those words. In this Gospel passage, the leper was completely disposed to the words of Jesus. He was on his knees before Jesus as a sign of complete trust and complete submission. He was ready to make Jesus act in his life, and it is this openness, more than anything else, that evokes these words of action of Jesus. Leprosy is a clear sign of our weaknesses and our sin. It is a clear sign of our fallen human nature and our weakness. It is a clear sign that we cannot heal ourselves. It is a clear sign that we need the Divine Healer. When we recognize all these realities and truths, we will be able, just like this leper, to turn to Jesus on our knees and beg for His action in our life. Reflect today on the words of Jesus and listen to what He is telling you through them. Jesus wants it. Do? And if you do, are you willing to turn to Him and ask Him to act? Are you willing to ask for and receive His will? Prayer: Lord, I want it. I want it. I recognize your divine will in my life. But sometimes my will is weak and insufficient. Help me deepen my determination to reach out to You, the Divine Healer, every day so that I can encounter Your healing power. Help me to be open to all that your will includes for my life. Help me to be ready and willing to accept your action in my life. Jesus, I trust You.