Homily For Friday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 10th January, 2025

Readings: 1 John 5:5-13, Ps.147, Luke 5:12-16

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

EXPERIENCING THE HEALING TOUCH OF THE LORD

Reflecting on the ugly situation in our lives, our families, societies and the world at large, there is no doubt that most people are sick and in need of God’s healing touch. Thus, our Gospel passage today presents to us the story of a leper who approached Jesus for healing.

He made this request with faith and trust in the power of Jesus. He said: “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Probably, he may have heard stories of Jesus' many healings. So in response, Jesus immediately touched him, saying: “I will be clean.” The man was healed immediately.

This can be symbolic in relation to what God has done for humanity. For a while, we were still in a state of sin, corruption and deep darkness as a result of the evil activities in this world.

The Lord has not abandoned us; rather, he always reached out to us and touched us with his generous love and often had mercy on us for our sins, which had separated us from God just as the leper had been separated and cast out from the society.

Here also, the touching of Jesus is very significant. No ordinary person would dare to touch a leper. Think of the inner healing that must have resulted from the touch of Jesus, that moment of physical contact. Touch is something we all need but are so often lacking in our relationship with God and one another. Thus, we too, need healing, including the healing that comes from the touch of Jesus.

And the truth is that we all have received this amazing loving touch of God, his mercy, compassion, forgiveness and healing. This is what St. John, in our first reading today, is reminding us when he spoke about overcoming the challenges of this world by believing in Jesus, who, through the testimonies of water, Spirit and Blood, bears witness to the love of God.

Dear friends, I don’t know what type of leprocious problems you are passing through, I don’t know how severe or hopeless your condition is. All I know is that Jesus is willing to help us if we come to him in faith. So, let us put our trust in the healing power of Jesus.

The story of this leper is a good example of how sinners can and should appeal to Jesus for cleansing, especially from their sins. We should come in faith, knowing that God can cleanse us because he is always willing to cleanse every sinner who comes to him.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we come to you today just like the man in our Gospel passage, you know our innermost being, so we ask that if you will, you can cleanse us, our families, our societies and the world from physical, emotional sinful, greed, unforgiveness and spiritual leprosies. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day.