The only one who can heal him

When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” (Matthew 8: 1-4)

The leper’s plea makes it clear that he sees himself unclean, surely because of his disease but perhaps also because of his behaviour. In addition, the leper acknowledges that only Jesus can heal him. When we approach the Eucharist, may we keep this leper in mind in order to remember that it is only Jesus who can save us from our own impurities and that these must be removed with the Sacrament of Confession before receiving communion.