“While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate and begged Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” And He reached out with His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.”And immediately the leprosy left him.” Luke 5:12-13
This man was desperate, he had no hope. Leprosy was a death sentence, a very lonely one of exile. He saw Jesus, and knew this was his last chance. He knew in his heart that Jesus could heal him, if only He willed it. So, the leper cast all caution aside. Though he was ordered to remain a safe distance from everyone, he came to Jesus, and fell prostrate at His feet. In desperation, the leper begged Jesus to help him.
Oh, if only I had that level of desperation.
Sin is worse than leprosy in many ways. Sin is a death sentence, though its results are eternal not just physical. When a soul is contaminated by sin, it has no hope of its own healing. The soul is cast out of God’s sight.
Yet, it is within this despair that the soul sees his hope. Jesus approached the sin diseased soul. And, the soul falls prostrate before God, begging Him to make him clean.
That’s what occurs every time we come to the Tribunal of Mercy (Sacrament of Reconciliation). We fall to our knees, begging Jesus, “Lord, if You will it, You can make me clean.” All our hope lays in this moment. The soul waits in this moment for the response. Then, not only does Jesus turn His gaze upon this sinner soul, He actually reaches out with His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the sin leaves him.
I’ve learned from God that He could have kept me clean from the beginning. But, even in my sin, or maybe because of my sin, I approach God in desperation. Begging God for healing, trusting that He will will it. And, knowing that when He washes me clean, I can stand before Him in joy.
It is the desperation to be made clean in which the soul finds true cleanliness, sanctity. It is this desperate need to approach God, falling prostrate and begging for Divine Mercy that the soul is made into a saint.