~ by Father Ron Camarda

The following is the Gospel from the 7th of January Mass:

It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately. Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray. (According to LUKE 5:12-16)

“Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”

Beloved, it seems to the world that the Christmas season is over and packed away. But to us who truly believe, it is just beginning. When a new baby is born to a Catholic family, there is much excitement. Family and friends visit to “see” the newborn baby. Sometimes they come for the baptism of the child. As a priest, I can’t tell you how often I am breathless and full of awe after the baby is baptized in the waters. The child seems radiant and glowing. Something really special happens. The earthly and heavenly parents exalt: “This is my beloved child with whom I am in love with!”

After the party and everyone goes home, the work of raising a child begins. The baby grows slowly into a toddler, then a child, and then a teenager. Eventually, the child grows physically into an adult. There is good reason why puppies, kittens and babies are so cute. I have been told that when we humans look at a newborn animal or baby, that a chemical reaction occurs in our brains that sends a message, “Take care of this creature!” Believe me when I share with you that the advertising industry is well aware of this. Maybe this is why lovers call each other, “Baby.”

Alas, when we become adults, we are treated differently. We shed the cute “take care of me baby” look and mature into friends of God. We discover what an enemy is. The consequences of becoming a mature human adult are that we sometimes have a social or spiritual leprosy, sinfulness, opinions and disfigurement that cause us to become outcasts. We all accept Jesus as a baby at Christmas time. We all end up rejecting Jesus at the foot of the Cross. Not even Peter could find the courage to stand below that cross at first.

So when we do encounter Jesus like the leper did, we are desperate, lonely, depressed and feeling shame. We might need to cry out to Jesus, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean!” And then the real Christ Mass begins to make sense.

I wrote the following on January 7th beneath the cross at Most Holy Redeemer Church just after celebrating another wonderful Christ Mass:

Still Christ Mass

O Beloved—

How beautiful your feet

How wonderful your love

Eucharist within

Embraced by your love

You ask me

To hold you in my hands

Kiss me with my lips

To enter into Love’s communion in Eucharist

The leper in the Gospel thanks you for the gift of leprosy

and the exile from the community

for he was the one you came to.

Had he not suffered through leprosy

and all the consequences

he would never have met you that day.

One day in Your presence, Jesus

is worth my entire life

and all the suffering and toils

Thank You Beloved God for each and every suffering

for through these sufferings

I experience…

YOU

With me, guiding me and asking me

to cry for healing…

Yes, Yes!

You do heal me of my wretched self

and leave me breathless

radiant

and alive forever

I scarce can take it in

I love You, Most Beloved

Thank You for those who harm me and cause me trouble

They are your instruments of peace

They purify me in the fire of Your love.

Holy, Holy, Holy—

Wow and ooh…and o my

Have a most blessed week.

Jesus does will it, be made clean!

Love, joy, peace,

Father Ron Moses +

www.tearinthedesert.com

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