Here is today’s Gospel, from St Matthew: ‘When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And he stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.  And 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, for a proof to the people.”’ (Matthew 8:1-4)

St John Chrysostom commented: ‘For when He had come down from the mountain, there came a leper, saying,” Lord, if You will, You can make me clean”. Great was the understanding and the faith of him who so drew near. For he did not interrupt the teaching, nor break through the auditory, but awaited the proper time, and approaches Him when He has come down. And not at random, but with much earnestness, and at His knees, he beseeches Him, as another evangelist says, and with the genuine faith and right opinion about him. For neither did he say,” If You request it of God”, nor, “If Thou pray”, but, “If You will, You can make me clean”. Nor did he say, “Lord, cleanse me”, but leaves all to Him, and makes His recovery depend on Him, and testifies that all the authority is His’. (St John Chrysostom, Homily 25 on Matthew)

Anyone who has seen the damage that leprosy causes will understand the man’s plight. Yet, he approaches the Lord with faith and in hope, leaving all to His will. With great clarity, he knows who Jesus is, calling Him ‘Lord’.

Let us place all our trust in God, who can bring healing where there seems to be no hope on the human level – even if the healing is of the mind and spirit rather than the body.

May God bless you this day, and be very close to you.