On healing the leper, Jesus enjoined silence on him: "Tell no one". Scholars try to explain Jesus' frequent explanation, contained in the subsequent instructions to the healed man to show himself to the priest and to offer the gift Moses prescribed. Jesus may have been taking the opportunity to add instruction to His miracle, associating His words with His deeds. It would have been natural for the healed man to rush off to celebrate his cure joyfully with his friends. But there was the prior obligation of the law and of gratitude to God. In Luke's story of the Ten Lepers, Jesus grieved over the Jews among them who put the Law above gratitude to God. In Matthew's Gospel, however, every jot and title of the Law must be fulfilled and so Jesus demonstrates that He is a faithful Jew by drawing the man's attention to God before anything else. He also adds: "That should be the proof they need". Is it possible that his reference to "the proof they need' is a reference to his own acceptability as a good Jew?
Lord, teach us to be grateful to You for the gifts we receive before we celebrate with our friends.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That the leaders and members of different religions may co-operate in their search for world peace, based on conversion of hearts and brotherly dialogue.
Elaboration
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