Breaking the Word

Saturday after Epiphany – 08^th January 2022 — Gospel:  Jn 3,22-30

Everything from God

John the Baptist is confronted with the fact that Jesus is attracting many followers. Probably, this meant that Jesus was gaining more popularity than Baptist or many were leaving the Baptist to follow Jesus Instead. Rather than becoming jealous, upset, or angry, John the Baptist has the right approach, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.” This is a tremendously important principle that rules over everything in our lives. Everything we have, everything we are, and everything we will be is a gratuitous gift from God. John the Baptist makes it clear that Christ was his mission, and seeing him succeed makes John really happy. Rather than being selfish about our own growth, we should be happy when others’ efforts bring people closer to God.

Friday after Epiphany – 07^th January 2022 — Gospel: Luke 5,12-16

Jesus’ willingness

This healing narrative demonstrates the powerful authority of Jesus and his compassionate care for those in need. The man ‘covered with leprosy’ is a person cast out from society because of his impurity. As specified by Leviticus 13-14, a leper is considered unclean and is removed from the ordinary life of the people as long as the disease lasts. Despite these prohibitions, the leper bows before Jesus, addressing him as Lord. He recognizes that God is working through Jesus, and so implores Jesus’ choice to make him clean. The leper’s request centers not on Jesus’ ability, but on his willingness to heal. Finally, the leper both hears and feels Jesus’ willingness to make him whole, and acknowledges the same with the crowds.