First Reading - Hebrews 3:7-14
Gospel - Mark 1:40-45
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The First Reading recounts the history of Israel in the wilderness. They witnessed God’s mighty works — the parting of the sea, manna from heaven, water from the rock. Yet, despite experiencing these wonders, their faith wavered. They lost their way because they lost their trust in God. The reading reminds us that remaining faithful to God is not always easy. There will be moments when we feel lost, moments when we doubt. But God’s expectation from us remains clear: to stay faithful, and when we see others struggling, to lift them up and encourage them to keep going.
Faithfulness is not just about personal endurance. It is about creating a supportive community where we help each other remain loyal to God. In our journey, there will always be those who are tired, weak, or disillusioned. Our responsibility is to strengthen them, to remind them of God’s love, and to walk with them in their struggles. Faith is not a solitary journey. It is something we nurture together.
In the Gospel, we see a powerful example of faith and trust in God through the leper’s encounter with Jesus. Leprosy in ancient times was more than a disease — it was a mark of exclusion. Lepers were cast out of society, seen as impure and untouchable. Yet, despite his isolation and suffering, this man approaches Jesus with bold faith. “If you wish, you can make me clean,” he says. His words show both humility and trust. He does not demand healing but trusts in Jesus’ will and compassion.
What is remarkable is Jesus’ response. He doesn’t hesitate. He stretches out His hand, touches the man, and says, “I do will it. Be made clean.” Jesus’ touch is a profound act of compassion and inclusion. He doesn’t just heal the man physically; He restores his dignity and brings him back into the community.
This encounter teaches us that God’s response to faith is always one of compassion. When we place our trust in Him, even in our most broken moments, He responds with healing and restoration. The leper’s faith in Jesus impelled him to seek healing, and Jesus’ compassionate response impelled the man to share his testimony with others. This is what faith does — it transforms us and compels us to bear witness to God’s goodness.
Dear friends, as pilgrims, we will have moments of doubt, weakness, and failure. We may feel like the leper — isolated, broken, or overwhelmed by life’s challenges. But faith teaches us to turn to Jesus with trust and humility. Like the leper, we can say, “If you wish, you can heal me,” and we can be assured that Jesus’ response will be one of love and affirmation.
But there is more to faith than personal healing. There is also a communal responsibility. The First Reading reminds us that faith is strengthened in community. We are called to encourage one another, to lift each other up, and to ensure that no one is left behind in this journey of faith. Our pilgrimage is not just about reaching the destination; it’s about walking together, supporting one another, and being instruments of God’s love and hope.
Let us ask ourselves today: Who in our lives needs encouragement in their faith? Are there people around us who feel isolated or struggling in their journey? Just as Jesus reached out to the leper with compassion, we too are called to reach out to those in need, offering them hope and reminding them of God’s presence.
May our journey as pilgrims be one of faithfulness and compassion. Let us trust in God’s guidance and encourage one another to remain steadfast in faith. And may we never forget that, in moments of weakness and doubt, Jesus is always there, ready to stretch out His hand and say, “I do will it. Be made clean.”
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