"Padayon Pa Gihapon Ang Pagkadto Sang Mga Tawo Sa Iya Halin Sa Iban Nga Mga Lugar"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 1:40-45)

May aruon nga nagpalapit kay Jesus kag nagluhod sa pagpakitluoy. Siling niya, "Kon gusto mo, mapaayo mo ako sa akon aro nga mahigko."

Naluoy gid si Jesus sa iya. Gani gintandog niya siya kag nagsiling, "Gusto ko. Magmatinlo ka!"

Sa gilayon nadula ang iya aro kag nagtinlo siya.

Ginpalakat dayon siya ni Jesus pagkatapos nga ginpaandaman niya siya. Siling niya,"Indi ka gid magpanugid bisan kay sin-o parte sini, kundi magderetso ka sa pari kag magpatan-aw sa iya. Dayon maghalad ka sang halad nga ginsugo ni Moises sa pagpamatuod sa mga tawo nga matinlo ka na."

Pero ato nga tawo naglakat kag nagsagi panugid parte sa natabo sa iya. Gani naglapnag ang balita parte sa natabo sa aruon hasta indi na makasulod si Jesus sa mga banwa, kay nagadinaguso ang mga tawo pakadto sa iya. Didto na lang siya nagtiner sa kamingawan. Pero padayon pa gihapon ang pagkadto sang mga tawo sa iya halin sa iban nga mga lugar.

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Meditation:

Do you seek the Lord Jesus with expectant faith? No one who sought Jesus out was refused his help. Even the untouchables and the outcasts of Jewish society found help in him. Unlike the people of Jesus' time who fled at the sight of a leper, Jesus touched the leper who approached him and he made him whole and clean. Why was this so remarkable? Lepers were outcasts of society. They were driven from their homes and communities and left to fend for themselves. Their physical condition was terrible as they slowly lost the use of their limbs and withered away. They were not only shunned but regarded as "already dead" even by their relatives. The Jewish law forbade anyone from touching or approaching a leper, lest ritual defilement occur.

This leper did something quite remarkable. He approached Jesus confidently and humbly, expecting that Jesus could and would heal him. Normally a leper would be stoned or at least warded off if he tried to come near a rabbi. Jesus not only grants the man his request, but he demonstrates the personal love, compassion, and tenderness of God in his physical touch. The medical knowledge of his day would have regarded such contact as grave risk for incurring infection. Jesus met the man's misery with compassion and tender kindness. He communicated the love and mercy of God in a sign that spoke more eloquently than words. He touched the man and made him clean – not only physically but spiritually as well.

How do you approach those who are difficult to love, or who are shunned by others because they are deformed or have some defect? Do you show them kindness and offer them mercy and help as Jesus did? The Lord is always ready to show us his mercy and to free us from whatever makes us unclean, unapproachable, or unloving towards others.

Lord Jesus, inflame my heart with your love and make me clean and whole in body, mind, and spirit. May I never doubt your love nor cease to tell others of your mercy and compassion."