Seeing Jesus, He Fell Prostrate

Beads of Joy 01-08-10

Seeing Jesus, He Fell Prostrate
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

There is no doubt in my mind about the power that is within Jesus to heal us. Another yet powerful miracle has taken place in today's reading. Today our study is reflecting on Luke 5:12-15 (The Cleansing of the Leper). The Jews considered leprosy a direct punishment from God, lepers were also considered incurable. This event is covered in three of the gospels including: Matthew 8:1-4 and Mark 1:40-45. Mark gives us the most atmosphere to this event, while in Matthew the leper did Him homage. In Mark the leper fell to his knees and in Luke the leper fell on his face. It is said that "falling on his face" was of the highest form of homage someone can give Jesus.

Jesus did the unthinkable in His time, He touched a leper. Any person touching a leper is considered unclean just by doing that, but not with Jesus. When He touched a leper, the leper was healed. The most wonderful part of this healing was that it happened immediately. What an overwhelming ecstatic high level of joy the healed leper must have experienced. Jesus restored his body fully healed. This person can now return to society and live amongst and within the rest of the community and they won't treat him like an outcast any longer. Jesus was the only one who could have cured this leper.

If you had leprosy you were pretty much living a death sentence, little by little your body was decaying and dying away. The Jews believed that because leprosy came directly from God, the only who can heal you would have to be God, in His mercy. How would we feel if we had leprosy? Has there ever been a time in our lives when we felt abandoned from everybody? Did the loneliness and seclusion leave a deep urning feeling in the pit of our souls? or is our heart empty? Do you feel all alone even amongst family and friends? Tough questions, that are real in so many lives.

Just as the leper seeked out Jesus and fell prostrate before Him; we to must also seek Him out. The same healing and love Jesus gave the leper, can be given to us. Sometimes the healing needed can't be seen, sometimes the outside of our bodies look fine while inside it's decaying. Has someone close to you pass away? Has your child been harmed or has their health decayed and you feel helpless before them? Are you living alone seeking out that one person to love and to love you? No matter what we are all experiencing remember that; Jesus embraces those who pass from this life, He nurtures and heals the sick children and most importantly He fills the void and loneliness inside our hearts. Just remember you can be married and surrounded by many and still be lonely. Jesus has come to free us from any bondage that binds us.

Go to Jesus and love Him like you have loved no other.


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO