"heal the leprous" (mt 10:8)
"Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of the man of God. His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean." —2 Kings 5:14
The Lord commands us to heal the leprous. We have the authority and the power to heal the severely sick and the outcasts (see Mt 10:1). We heal the leprous by being like the little slave girl of Naaman's wife. She witnessed to God's healing power (2 Kgs 5:2-3).
We heal the leprous by being like Naaman's servants. We encourage lepers, and everyone, to swallow their pride and obey God (2 Kgs 5:13). If they, and we, would only obey God's command, we all shall be healed (Mt 8:8).
We heal the leprous by being like Elisha. We tell people what the Lord wants them to hear instead of what they want to hear (2 Kgs 5:10ff). We prophesy.
Finally, we heal the leprous and are healed of our own sinful condition by being people of faith who will travel any distance, incur any expense, and repent of every sin so as to receive the grace of God.
The Lord heals even the most severely sick through witnesses, encouragers, and prophets. He heals through men and women of faith. Jesus continues to say to us: "It is your faith that has cured you. Go in peace and be free of this illness" (Mk 5:34). Believe; give healing; be healed.
Prayer: Father, beginning this Lent, I will obey You by curing the sick, raising the dead, healing the leprous, and expelling demons (Mt 10:8).
Promise: "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel." —2 Kgs 5:15
Praise: Jesus healed Michael of tumors in his throat.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our book, Healing: The Imitation of Christ.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 26, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 1997