STAYING OUTSIDE

PRAYER PAUSE

Thursday 11 January 2018

STAYING OUTSIDE

Enter into the stillness of God within.

Reading: Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived.” (Mark 1:40-45)

Reflection. A person with leprosy comes to Jesus who heals him and tells him to “say nothing to anyone”. What a hope! The man goes off and tells the story everywhere. Knowing the people would completely misunderstand his mission, Jesus then withdraws to remote places. He takes the place of the man who had leprosy who had to live “ouside” society when he was infected but would now be welcomed “inside” once he had “shown himself to the priest.” Jesus “carries our burdens” as Isaiah said he would (53:4). He takes our place. That is the sacrifice he offers on Calvary. He calls us, his followers, to “take the place” of others who are suffering today.  

Prayer. Lord, you call us to “take up our cross and follow you.” Help me to understand what this means in my life. Amen