Lord Jesus,
In the quiet of this new day, I come before you with my “leprosy”—with all that makes my heart unclean, lonely, and separated from others. Sometimes I feel I must cry out my unworthiness, so that no one will draw near.
“Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’” (Leviticus 13:45)
I have made my dwelling outside the camp, in the solitude of my fears and shame, convinced that is where I belong.
“As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp.” (Leviticus 13:46)
I feel forgotten, like a broken vessel that no longer has value or purpose.
“I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.” (Psalm 31:12)
Just as Miriam was shut away as a punishment, I, too, sometimes isolate myself and wait for life to go on without me.
“So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.” (Numbers 12:15)
Lord, I come to you as I am
But today, Jesus, I gather all my courage. I see you walking the dusty paths of my life. I will no longer stand at a distance, as those men did in fear.
“As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance” (Luke 17:12)
No, today I fall before you, on my knees, and surrender to you all that I am. I trust in your power.
“A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’” (Matthew 8:2)
Your touch that cleanses me.
And you, my Lord, have mercy on me. You do not shrink back. You reach out your hand and touch my uncleanness. Your healing touch knows no disgust. And your words echo in my soul: “I am willing; be clean.”
The moment I accept your will, I am cleansed. You send me to show myself to the priests, to return to the community.
“When he saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed.” (Luke 17:14)
In this way, you fulfill the ancient law, not with sacrifices, but with your love, which brings me back.
“These are the regulations for any diseased person at the time of their ceremonial cleansing, when they are brought to the priest:” (Leviticus 14:2)
The cleansing of lepers is a sign that you are truly the Messiah, that the Kingdom of God is at hand.
“The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” (Matthew 11:5)
And this same mission, this same power, you give to me as well—to bring cleansing and hope to others in your name.
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.” (Matthew 10:8)
Lord, may I live this day as one who has been cleansed. May I speak of your works to all whom I meet, but in doing so, may I always seek your will. Thank you for taking on my solitude so that I could find a home in you. Amen.
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