Be made clean

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Inhliziyo Zethu

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Today is Friday the 26th of June, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing: ‘Inhliziyo Zethu’: ‘You will make my heart pure’. A pure heart is a heart that is open to God, that doesn’t seek its own advantage, but wants whatever God wants. As I enter into prayer today, I ask for that openness of heart. I ask the Lord to lead my heart to him, to guide me in the way he wants me to go.

2:54

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 8:1-4

When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’

4:20

Valemor

Try to picture this man with leprosy now...his appearance...his garments...his posture...his diseased skin...how do his isolation and suffering show on his face?

‘The leper came to Jesus and knelt before him.’ Now picture Jesus with the leper, knelt at his feet... How does Jesus welcome him?... Look at him?... Perhaps touch him?... Gaze upon this scene for a moment with your heart.

The leper asks, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ As the reading is read again, continue to watch the scene, noticing what most moves you.

7:23

Matthew 8:1-4

When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’

8:33

Jesus says to the leper, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Perhaps there is something you would like to ask of Jesus today. In the quiet, bring your own requests to his feet as you pray.

10:53

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen