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Gospel Reading for June 26, 2026 – Matthew 8: 1-4
THE LEPROSY OF SIN
When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”
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The leper was confident that Jesus desired to heal him of his leprosy, a debilitating disease that was considered incurable in Jesus’ time. Because leprosy was thought to be highly contagious, lepers were treated as outcasts and required to keep their distance from others. Yet, notice what Jesus did: he stretched out his hand and touched the man.
That touch speaks volumes. Jesus was not afraid of the leper’s condition. Instead of becoming defiled, Jesus’ holiness brought healing and restoration. His compassion reached beyond social barriers and religious customs to restore not only the man’s health but also his dignity.
In the same way, Jesus desires to cleanse us from THE LEPROSY OF SIN. All we need to do is approach him with humility, acknowledge him as our Lord, sincerely repent, and entrust ourselves to his mercy. He will never turn us away. Rather, he will touch our lives with every grace we need to be cleansed, healed, and made whole.
Lord Jesus, You alone can heal us of the debilitating illness of falling into the snares of the evil one. Stretch out your hand and touch our hearts, that we may be cleansed from sin and strengthened to live according to your holy will!
