Friday after Epiphany
Intention: That during this National Migration Week, we may strive to be the face and hands of God’s compassion and justice for all migrants; refugees; and displaced, enslaved, and exploited persons.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 5:12-16
It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately. Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.
From the Fifth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
To be saved, it does not suffice to be instructed in the Christian truths that are purely theoretical. As we have said already, faith without works is dead, like a body without a soul; consequently, it is not sufficient to help us achieve our salvation.
It is, then, not enough to procure the Christian spirit for children and to teach them the mysteries and doctrines of our religion. You must also teach them the practical maxims that are found throughout the holy Gospel. But because they do not yet have a mind sufficiently able to understand and practice these maxims by themselves, you must serve as visible angels for them in two ways: 1) you must help them understand the maxims as set forth in the holy Gospel, and 2) you must guide their steps along the way that leads them to put these maxims into practice.
For this they need visible angels, who by their instructions and good example will encourage them to appreciate and to practice these maxims. By these two means, then, these holy maxims will make a strong impression on the mind and on the heart.
Prayer
Eternal Father, today we dedicate ourselves to be people of compassion. Teach us to be at one with one another and to remove all of the obstacles that block us from caring about and for each other. Help us to look at one another without judgment, to love unconditionally and to reach out to one another in mercy and in companionship. We pray that our faith will always find its expression not just in words but especially in works. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.