1 John 5:5-13, Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20, Luke 5:12-16

1 John 5:5-13, Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20, Luke 5:12-16

1 John 5:5-13

My Beloved, how beautifully, powerfully and with such great clarity and simplicity the evangelist writes about eternal truths 

that it is perfectly apparent he was inspired by the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Truth.  We may be in the world but we who are Yours are not of it.  We are not touched by it because we are touched by Your Holy Spirit and with grace and we are animated by Him.  You have overcome the world and the powers of darkness.  It was for this that the Father sent You into the world as a Man in order that we may become children of God.  Your Baptism in the Jordan cleansed the waters of Baptism, the Blood You shed for us is now the 'Eternal Sacrifice' offered to the Father in expiation of our sins at every celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the power of the Holy Spirit that was the animating force with which You did all things in perfect accordance with the will of the Father, is the same Spirit that animates us when we are confirmed in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

We receive Your own life this is why we testify that we have received the same eternal life that is Your life in us.  God's favor rests on us who believe because we now belong to You on whom His favor has always rested.

Thank You for the new life we have received because we believe.

Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20

My Beloved, because we are grafted to Your Body we are members of Your Church.  You are her gate and no evil power or force can prevail against her for You are her strength and her shield.  You bless all who dwell in her and You give them peace that surpasses all understanding for it is a peace the world does not have and cannot give.

You feed us on the Eucharist which is Your own Body and Blood and You empower us with Your Word which is more powerful and effective than a double edged sword for it cuts right through the heart to the spirit and makes God's will known to us.

We are the city set high on a hilltop shedding Your Light in the world.

Luke 5:12-16

My Beloved, if we want to be effective in our vocation then like You, we must make ample opportunities to withdraw often to a solitary place to pray verse 16 "As for Jesus, he would often withdraw to solitary places and pray." You drew strength spending time alone with Your Father. You were one with Him in prayer and we too experience that same closeness when we pray.

In these verses the evangelist tells us of a leper who approached You for healing. The whole little narrative points clearly to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Leprosy represents sin which makes us unclean but when we approach the priest in this Sacrament of Healing, You reach out to us through the priest when we cry out, Lord, if You want to, You can me me clean." And the absolution received from You through Your ordained minister You say always, "Yes, I want it. Be clean." And in an instant we are cleansed and our souls are made whole again. But only when we show ourselves to the priest as You instructed the leper to do as well.

Thank You for this awesome Sacrament of Healing and grace.