It is instructive to consider the different ways in which Jesus deals with people. In this story of the leper, recounted by Matthew, Mark and Luke. Jesus responds gently and promptly to the leper's indirect request for healing.

This contrasts with the way in which he reacted to the father of the boy possessed by a demon (Mark 9:23) who said: "If you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." Jesus answered somewhat abruptly perhaps or at least sternly: "'If you can?' Everything is possible to anyone who has faith. 'Immediately the boy's father cried out,' I do have faith. Help the little faith I have!'"

Jesus' different reactions also reveal to us the different ways in which the two men made their request. The leper did not say anything to appear to question Jesus' ability to cure him but left everything to Jesus' good will. The other man was not making a request for himself but for his son and was obviously desperately looking for help. His desperation added a sharpness to his words which he perhaps did not intend.

We are thus taught to pray with humility and patience and gentleness as signs of the faith which allows us to receive and enjoy God's graces.