Make Me Clean

 

Readings 062626 

Many come to the Church for healing…
yet instead of surrendering to Jesus,
they want God and the Church
to surrender to them.

Some want a relationship with Jesus —
but only on their terms.
But the Gospel is clear:
Jesus never turns away anyone 

 who willingly seeks Him.
Not then.
Not now.

And so we meet the leper —
a man with nothing to offer but his need.
He falls to his knees
and whispers the most honest prayer a human can pray:
“Lord, if You wish, You can make me clean.”

And Jesus —
God who never forces Himself,
God who never rejects a humble heart —
stretches out His hand,
touches the untouchable,
and says,
“I do will it. Be made clean.”

Grace rushed in.
Mercy did what mercy always does.
His leprosy was cleansed immediately.

But Jesus doesn’t stop there.
He sends the man forward with purpose:
“Go show yourself to the priest.
Offer the gift Moses prescribed.”

In other words:
Do what you are required to do.
Walk the path of obedience.
Let your healing become your witness.

Because what reveals God in your life
is your genuine, living relationship with Jesus Christ —
your unrestrained devotion to Him
whether you are well or sick,
strong or struggling,
whole or still being healed.

May we be the ones
who fall at His feet and say,
“Lord, if You wish…”
and then rise to live the life
He asks of us.

Prayer 

Lord Jesus, 

Draw my heart 

into a deeper surrender to You alone.
Stretch out Your healing hand 

and cleanse what I cannot fix.
Fill me with a living obedience 

that reveals Your mercy.
Let my healing become my witness 

Le my weakness become Your glory.
Hold me close, Lord, 

and lead me in Your holy will. 

Amen

Built on Rock

Readings 062526 

When I entered the diaconate program,

 I was still recovering from an illness 

that nearly took my life. 

I was weak, still healing, 

still wondering what God was doing with me. 

And all that brought insecurities.

As I moved through the program, 

I can still hear the critiques: 

“Your preaching isn’t very good.” 

“You don’t explain Scripture well enough.” 

I even served with priests who timed my homilies— 

“You went over your six minutes.” 

One even told me I was embarrassing.

Maybe they were right. 

I pray my preaching is a little better now. 

But God still has me here.

I didn’t come from fancy stock. 

My parents were not ricj. 

My family was country. 

I did not do great in school.  

I loaded trucks, I struggled to make a living, 

and stumbled into my career in safety— 

Helping people in agriculture and construction crews. 

Nothing elite. 

Nothing polished. 

Just honest work and everyday people.

But even in all that, 

I knew God had called me. 

And I know He still does. 

So I try to answer Him in the only way I know how— 

with simple words, 

with a country heart, 

with a life that tries to live the Gospel I proclaim.

Because God isn’t moved by appearances or titles. 

He isn’t impressed by “Lord, Lord.” 

He looks for a heart that keeps His word— 

a heart that listens, 

a heart that obeys.

Jesus says, 

“Whoever loves me will keep my word.” 

Love is proven in obedience. 

Faith is proven in action.

The wise man builds on rock— 

hearing and doing. 

The foolish man builds on sand— 

hearing and ignoring.

So today, let our actions match our faith. 

Let our lives preach louder than our words. 

And may God find in us 

not a résumé, 

but a willing heart built solidly on Him.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
Give me a heart that listens 

 for Your word.
Make my love steady, 

 my obedience true.
Set my feet 

 on the rock of Your will.
Let my life preach louder  than my voice.
And build in me  

 a home for Your Father’s glory. 

Amen