6th Sunday, Year B: Reflection by Fr Julian Ekeh

Theme: “I WILL, BE CLEAN” VS “I WILL BE CLEAN”

(Mark 1:40–45)

The two statements above have the same words, but the punctuation made a whole lot of difference. The one with comma are the ‘ipsisima verba’; the words of Jesus Christ to the leper.

The other one without comma should be the reaction or the response of the leper and, of course, each and every one of us to the call to holiness and cleanliness by Christ.

“I WILL, BE CLEAN”

Jesus, in today’s gospel reading, announced his will for us. His will for us is that we be clean. Hence, He told the leper: “I Will, be clean.” This was necessitated by the call made by the leper who knelt begging to be made clean. He said to Jesus: “If you will, you can make me clean.” Jesus wills our wellbeing, our cleanliness, our holiness, our purity. He means well for us. He is moved with pity towards us. He opens his hands to receive us. He gives us his holiness to take from us our sinfulness. That explains why He stretched out His hand and touched the man. It was a lovely touch. It was a therapeutic touch. It was a transforming touch; a touch that took one to the best state. It was a reinstating touch; one that takes the person to the desired position God planned for Him.

Jesus says to you: “I will, be clean.” Endeavour to be clean. Make sure you have the same mind and heart with Christ. Depart from that pitiable state and embrace the state of Grace. To do this, address yourself.

I WILL BE CLEAN

This is a statement made in conviction. This is a statement made by a person to himself. This is a soliloquy.

This man must have been tired of living in leprosy. He must be tired of the embarrassing state of being ostracised from His people. He must be ashamed of carrying bells around and shouting: I am unclean, I am unclean. Thus, he says in faith. I will be clean. I will be clean if… I will be clean if He wills. I want to be clean. I want to be good. I want to commune and communicate with my people and with God.

Another way of seeing this is as a surprise. The man must have been shocked when Jesus told Him that He was going to be clean. Will it be that easy? How will it happen?

Some of us have become so stained with sin that we no longer believe that Christ can simply make us clean by His precious blood. We ask in surprise: Will I be made clean? Jesus replies immediately: Yes! I will, be clean. Yes! That’s why I came. Yes! That’s my wish for you.

“I will be clean” at the third perspective should as well be our determination to remain clean. Seeing how much God loves us, how compassionate He is towards us, how determined He is to heal us, we should talk to ourselves and ensure we don’t get contaminated again. Say those words over and over again and let the powers and forces that are lead you into the dustbin of sin hear that you have chosen light against darkness.

HOW CLEAN ARE YOU?

Like the leprous man today, we should be concerned about the level of our cleanliness in the sight of God. How clean is your heart? How holy are you? How pure are you? How clean is your intention towards your neighbour? How good is your love for that person you call your friend? Are you far from God? Are you driving people of goodwill away from your life by your offensive behaviours?

THE REMEDY FOR UNCLEANESS

Call for help. Realize that you need help. Desire to be clean. Don’t enjoy sin. Stop allowing yourself to be held down by your weakness. Don’t be tired to bath. Don’t allow cold to make you afraid of being washed. Stop rolling yourself over and over in ruins.

Go for confession. Pay attention to the word of God and follow what it prescribes. Prove to everyone around you that you stand for cleanness and be proud of it.

Pray against the filthy forces dragging your spiritual life to the mud. As Jesus assures you: “I will, be clean,” make sure you reaffirm in return: “I will be clean.”

May God bless His word in our hearts.

LET US PRAY

Thank You, God, for willing that we be clean and for availing us of the opportunity to be made clean by your word and the Sacraments. Give us your holy hands and take our unclean hands. Make us clean in and out through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Sunday

Have a clean Val ahead.

(6th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh