+ Our first reading today tells of the woes of the people of Israel in the face of their opponents, the Philistines. Even when they brought the Ark of the Lord into the thick of the battle with them, it did not prove to be enough to defeat the enemy. And even the Ark itself was captured by the enemy. Something was still missing. What could it be? Perhaps, it was a strong leader, chosen specially by God, to lead the people of Israel to victory! We will see in subsequent readings in the coming days what happens.
It is true that God is interested in the general welfare of his people and the very fact that they exist in a condition of freedom and ability to worship him as they would. But he is also interested very much in his original plan to free them from sin and its effects. This is shown in the gospel passage today, when Jesus, the ultimate one chosen by God to lead his people to victory, easily heals a leper. He could have forgiven his sins also with great ease as he did with others – sometimes even at the same time as he healed their bodies.
For Jesus, the wholeness and total health of a person is what is important; even if in this life it is but a temporary kind of wholeness and health. What it points to is of greater value: everlasting wholeness, fullness and completion that can only be gotten to by obedience to the conditions of the Father's plan of salvation!
May we this day cooperate and do our part in eliciting the aid of God, Jesus, and their Spirit as we attempt to live morally and spiritually victorious lives in the face of the wiles of the enemy that still roams about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Protect us, Lord and redeem us, because of your mercy!
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