Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, ‘Of course I want to! Be cured!’
Mt.8:3
He touched him. Oh the beauty of that moment!
My natural inclination when faced with a "leaper" (read homeless, addict, mental illness, poverty, burdened) is to withdraw. I try to fight this and move in the opposite spirit.
Recently we had a man walk into Sunday Mass dressed roughly, a woollen cap on and dark sunglasses. He sat in the very front pew, always empty of course. Fighting my prejudices, I went over and sat next to him, saying "Welcome brother." It was soon apparent he had mental health issues but I could still converse with him.
After Mass, over a cup of tea, he said, "Thank you for talking with me." I felt humbled. If only he knew my heart.
He's been back a couple of times since. He's teaching me a lot.
Jesus, help me see the oppressed as you see them.
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