The man with the skin disease said, “If you want. . . .” If you want, you can heal me. If you want, you can use me. If you want, you can make a miracle. We can learn from his humility and tentative tone. It’s not a demand, but a request. He may sound like he is pleading, but it’s with due respect and surrender. 

He seems open to other possibilities that may happen, despite his longing for healing. His posture is being at Jesus’ disposal. 

At times, we pray so hard to the point of begging for what we want. But ultimately, we need to bring our desires to Him with all humility and say, “If You want to, Lord, You can.” 

If God does not allow it, it doesn’t mean He refused. He can, but not yet. Or perhaps we need to persevere more. God can, but He wants us to change inwardly and grow in humility and patience.

He can give, and He can will it. He can, if we deepen our resolve to radically surrender ourselves as He prepares us for the blessing. 

Ichel Alignay (michele.lojpastoralcare@gmail.com)

reflect

What is your inner disposition and intention when your ask God for something?

God, I know You can. Give me a humble posture and an openness to receive Your love and grace for me.

^{St. Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, pray for us.}

Today’s reading describes the beginnings of the Babylonian exile. The leaders and wealthy people of Israel are exiled to Babylon because they disobeyed their overlords’ commands and rebelled against their rule. Nebuchadnezzar has had enough and wants to end the rebellion of the Israelites. Many of the exiled set up their businesses in Babylon, and when the time comes to return home, they no longer want to leave as they are comfortable where they are. It takes the exhortations of Ezra and Nehemiah to gather a sufficient number of them to return.

¹ In the tenth month of the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and his whole army advanced against Jerusalem, encamped around it, and built siege walls on every side. ² The siege of the city continued until the eleventh year of Zedekiah. ³ On the ninth day of the fourth month, when famine had gripped the city, and the people had no more bread, ⁴ the city walls were breached. Then the king and all the soldiers left the city by night through the gate between the two walls which was near the king’s garden. Since the Chaldeans had the city surrounded, they went in the direction of the Arabah. ⁵ But the Chaldean army pursued the king and overtook him in the desert near Jericho, abandoned by his whole army. ⁶ The king was therefore arrested and brought to Riblah to the king of Babylon, who pronounced sentence on him. ⁷ He had Zedekiah’s sons slain before his eyes. Then he blinded Zedekiah, bound him with fetters, and had him brought to Babylon. ⁸ On the seventh day of the fifth month (this was in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon), Nebuzaradan, captain of the bodyguard, came to Jerusalem as the representative of the king of Babylon. ⁹ He burned the house of the Lord, the palace of the king, and all the houses of Jerusalem; every large building was destroyed by fire. ¹⁰ Then the Chaldean troops who were with the captain of the guard tore down the walls that surrounded Jerusalem. ¹¹ Then Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, led into exile the last of the people remaining in the city, and those who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the last of the artisans. ¹² But some of the country’s poor, Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, left behind as vinedressers and farmers.  

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

R: Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!

¹ By the streams of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.  ² On the aspens of that land we hung up our harps. (R) ³ Though there our captors asked of us the lyrics of our songs, and our despoilers urged us to be joyous: “Sing for us the songs of Zion!” (R) ⁴ How could we sing a song of the Lord in a foreign land? ⁵ If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand be forgotten! (R) ⁶ May my tongue cleave to my palate if I remember you not, if I place not Jerusalem ahead of my joy. (R)  

Gospel | Matthew 8:1-4

The miracles of Jesus are truly inspiring. The more we reflect on them, the more we recognize their presence in our church communities today. Miracles were not confined to the time of Jesus or the lives of the Apostles and saints. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully within our communities, bringing life and transformation. May signs and wonders cause the secular world to pause, seek understanding, and ultimately be led to conversion—the beginning of a life of faith.

Gospel Acclamation

Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.

¹ When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. ² And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” ³ He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. ⁴ 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.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read 1 CHRONICLES 16 - 18 today.

In the Book of Kings, we witness the tragic fall of Jerusalem. Once a city that reflected God’s glory, it was devastated by the Babylonians. This story is one of broken trust, shattered promises, and the consequences of straying from righteousness. It demonstrates that choosing one’s own path leads one farther away from God.

The Gospel of Matthew presents the story of a leper. This ostracized man approached Jesus, pleading, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus, filled with compassion, reached out and touched him, saying, “I am willing. Be clean.” The leper’s faith was rewarded with healing.

Let us now reflect on our spiritual journey. Every day, we make choices that shape our lives. Each of us has values that guide our decisions. Will we remain faithful to God’s commandments, or will we succumb to temptations?

Our readings serve as a guide for our choices, illustrating the transition from judgment to restoration. The First Reading shows the consequences of disobedience and the resulting suffering, while the Gospel offers a message of hope and healing through faith in Jesus. The leper’s faith and Jesus’ willingness to heal him contrast with the disobedience and judgment in 2 Kings.

These passages emphasize that despite the consequences of sin and disobedience, there is always hope for restoration through faith in Jesus. They remind us that He has the power to heal and restore, even in the midst of our struggles and failures. 

Fr. Jason Laguerta

reflection question

How do these two contrasting stories in our readings resonate with you in your spiritual journey?

Lord, help us move from judgment to restoration. Strengthen our faith in Your healing and redeeming power. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ________________________________