COMPASSION IS UNDERRATED

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Today's Readings:

1 Samuel 4:1-11

Psalm 44:10-11,14-15,24-25

Mark 1:40-45

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I received a question from a friend some time ago about the reason Jesus healed some people in the Bible and told them not to make Him known. Have you ever wondered why? Well, here is the answer. The phenomenon is called “The Messianic Secret”. The Messianic Secret is the idea that Jesus purposefully hid His identity as the Messiah during his lifetime. This occurrence is only recorded in Mark’s Gospel, where Jesus performs miracles but admonishes demons, disciples, and witnesses not to tell anyone about them. In today’s Gospel, He heals a leper who said, ‘If you want to, you can cure me.’ After compassionately healing the leper He said, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone…’ Ah! How?

First-century Palestine is pretty similar to our day: political agitations were high, colonial influence was a thorn in the people’s flesh and the clamour for a Messiah was pretty much on everyone’s lips. Jesus would have fit perfectly into the people’s prayers for a political saviour and that would have spelt doom for His earthly ministry. What is more important than a better country and the flourishing of the economic life of a people? Their salvation from sin and eternal death. By all means, work for the prosperity and empowerment of everyone. But if this is divorced from the deepest yearning of the human heart, we are the most unfortunate.

Jesus showed his love for human flourishing by curing those with physical problems. But this was a means to address their real problem—disconnection from God. By disconnecting from God, we sin against Him and bring down death and destruction on ourselves and others like Hophni and Phinehas did (1 Samuel 4:1-11). By our reconnection to God, through repentance and holy living, our lives begin to bear witness to God’s goodness and others see the difference and are drawn to Christ for the right reason which is to be saved from sin and not just chase after signs and wonders.

What else can we learn today?

• Follow Christ for the right reason—turn away from your sins, and choose to live a life of love that impacts others positively. God will bless you as you reorient your mind towards goodness in Jesus’ name.

• Feel Christ’s compassion—Jesus didn’t heal the leper out of a sense of obligation. He cared for him and wanted him to feel better. May your eyes be open to the compassion of Christ over your situation. Let the healing you desire in your soul, mind and body be permanent in Jesus’ name.

• Jesus is in your situation with you—Jesus touched the leper and with that risked contagion and ritual impurity. Jesus is not afraid of your predicament; He steps fully into it to pull you out of it. By the healing presence of God, be liberated from your situation in Jesus’ name.

• Be sensitive—We are placed in the world to share in Christ’s healing mission. Uphold someone in prayer, give generously to the poor, listen and console the sorrowful. This way, you liberate others from the shackles of the enemy. Compassion like this is underrated. May God’s grace strengthen you to bring healing and consolation to others in Jesus’ name.

JUDE-MARY OWOH

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To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud: Father, thank you for Jesus Christ. Forgive my sins, take control of my heart and lead me in your righteous path by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord. If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.

Prayer:

1. Let us Pray: Heavenly Father, increase my love for You and put to death all self-seeking ambition which does not give you glory. Let my thoughts, words and choices serve to transform every ordinary moment into an occasion of extraordinary grace through Christ our Lord. Amen.

2. Lord, turn Your eyes of compassion towards me and have Your way in my life and current situation. I submit totally to You, in Jesus' name. Amen.