Make me clean – Reflection on Matthew 8:1-4
Perhaps you recognize the feeling of being clean with the Lord at specific times. These could include after a reconciliation, in distraction-free prayer, a silent walk into nature, during services, unconditionally when you help someone, and in a fully present conversation. With all the effort we put in, remaining clean would seem easy. When we try to become close to God, we each have a personal relative scale. For some, the slightest slipping into a vice can seem large. Over our lifetime, the scale can keep narrowing towards perfection, so even small infractions when making progress can feel like riding the same roller coaster. We rise when we pay attention and, without realizing it, can slip into brief low periods. We find ourselves telling Jesus when we awaken to issues, please, “make me clean. These experiences and necessary unmasking of failures teach us to humbly offer an outstretched hand physically and spiritually to anyone in the crowd.
Healing of the Lepers at Capernaum by James Tissot (full-resolution painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 8:1-4 – Scripture*
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; 2 and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” 3 He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 Then 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, as a testimony to them.”
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 8:1-4 Reflection – Make me Clean.
Additional Thoughts
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Matthew 8 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Make me Clean
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.