1st Monday of Lent (March 10). HE WOULD WITHDRAW TO PRAY

Prepare to Listen.  My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.
 
Prayerfully Read Luke 5:12-16
12Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy.  When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’  13Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, ‘I do choose.  Be made clean.’  Immediately the leprosy left him.  14And he ordered him to tell no one.  ‘Go’, he said, ‘and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.’  15But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases.  16But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.
 
Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect
How does Luke’s picture of Jesus agree/disagree with your picture?
 
“Once, when he was in one of the cities.”  Another vague beginning suggesting this story is typical of Jesus’ ministry, including elements often used in Luke’s stories.  Unlike the previous story that names people, here no names are given.
 
A man with an unclean disease, forced to isolate himself from people, warn them away by shouting, “unclean, unclean,”[1] courageously walked among the crowd, approached Jesus, bowed in humility and begged, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.”  Others had come to Jesus in the same way for different needs.  What was unusual was the man’s mix of certainty, and uncertainty.  He knew Jesus could heal him; he didn’t know whether Jesus would.  He took the risk and discovered Jesus' willingness.  Without a word, not even questions about the man’s faith, theology or morals, “Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, ‘I do choose.  Be made clean.’  Immediately the leprosy left him.”
 
The story ends in a typical way, not with news of the leper, but with news of Jesus’ growing popularity and customary practice—escaping from the crowds to a deserted place to pray.  This wasn’t an occasional but a consistent and repeated behavior.  The crowds couldn’t control or define him.  Jesus didn’t need them.  He did need uninterrupted time alone with his Father because that was his source of strength.
 
What invitation are you being given to interrogate your heart, that is, to repent (change your mind)?
 
Prayerfully Respond
Lord, you could, and you chose to help this outcast man.  I pray today for all outcasts among us that they may experience your touch and receive wholeness from you.  Use me to help you help them.  Amen.
 
Live obediently.  Follow Jesus’ example and escape for prayer.
[1] Leviticus 13:45-46.