He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp. – Leviticus 13:46 Our healing theme from last week continues this week as Jesus heals a man with leprosy (Mark 1:40-45). This disease was so contagious that those who suffered from it were forced to live by themselves and endured social and religious exclusion. Our first reading from Sunday shows this clearly: “As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean,…
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 This time of winter is always a little “low” for me. Can you relate? The weather is often cold and dreary, although we’ve had some really nice days lately. Illnesses, stress, and grief seem to weigh on our hearts a little harder in February. It leaves me wondering what happened to all that Christmas joy from just a few weeks ago? It seems to…
“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. -John 1:32 Christmas has passed, the parties have ended, and our Christmas lights and decorations have likely been put away. Epiphany and the Christmas star that shone over the manger have passed: “The star burned brightly over Him for awhile, though it then faded away” (St. John Henry Newman). Sometimes I experience a let-down at this time of the year.…
If you are like me, you may be missing receiving our Lord in the Eucharist during this Coronavirus pandemic. Psalm 42 nearly completely sums up my longing to receive Jesus in this moment of worldwide crisis. “As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I enter and see the face of God?” ~Psalm 42:2-3 I truly rely…
Think back to a time that you walked in the dark. Maybe you had to move slowly so you didn’t run into anything or fumble around to find a light. If you were somewhere unfamiliar, it might have even been a little frightening to not be able to see your surroundings. You needed something to light your way so that you would know where to go without hurting yourself or getting lost. Now remember a…
A voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill made low; The rugged land shall be a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. ~Isaiah 40:3-5 Jesus, prepare my heart for Your coming. Show me the…