Gospel of St. Matthew, Humility & Selflessness, Mercy & Forgiveness, The Commandments

Cleanliness

Posted by 3w2y1g Staff on

Matthew 8:1-4

There is a saying that people need people. In fact, it is relationships that put meaning into our lives. To have real friends and to be loved is one of the most beautiful of human experiences. On the other hand when people avoid us, when people reject us, the feeling of pain is unbearable. 

During the time of Jesus when one had leprosy, the person was separated from society for fear of contamination. He had no relationship. Hence a very difficult experience. That is why the request, “Lord if you wish, you could make me clean.”

Certainly, this is the desire of all, that we are made clean to have meaningful relationships. Three things we can do in our everyday life:

  1. With our relationship to God, practice the sacrament of confession – we all have sinned in the eyes of God. And God is ready to forgive our sins. Through the priest, it is so comforting to hear the words, “And I absolve you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
  2. With our relationship with others, forgive and ask for forgiveness – in our everyday relationships, we get hurt, we get betrayed, we enter into conflicts,.That is why the challenge to forgive and ask for forgiveness. We may not be able to bring back the warmth in our broken relationships, but we will always be at peace.
  3. With our relationship with our own self, pursue the challenge to reflect. Plato once said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” It is very important to look at my life:
    • What good have I done?
    • What mistakes have I done?
    • Where am I going?
    • Where I am?
    • What is the meaning of life
    • Will this matter 20 years from now? Will this matter in the view of life eternal?

In closing, let me share with you a story about a person who wanted to experience being poor and begging. After one month, he said that the most painful experience is people not minding you, people rejecting you.

In all our relationships,  we pray that we be made clean. Surely there will be people who will reject us, but as long as we get our relationship with God, with the people around us and with ourselves right by doing the most loving thing that can be done.