Cultivating a Prayerful disposition (Homily for Friday of the 12th week in ordinary time year II June 28 2024

Homily for Friday of the 12th week in ordinary time year II June 28 2024

2kings 25:1-12; Psalm 137; Mathew 8:1-4

Cultivating a Prayerful disposition 

In the pursuit of a profound prayer experience, the leper from today's scripture serves as a poignant example. Contravening the societal edicts that isolated lepers, he approached Jesus with a boldness rooted in the conviction that he would not be spurned for his affliction. This leper's confidence in Jesus' boundless love and acceptance is instructive; our own conviction in God's love is foundational to our approach to prayer and shapes our readiness to engage with the Almighty.

The leper's entreaty, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean," encapsulates his deep-seated beliefs. His first conviction was in Jesus' power to heal, recognizing His profound compassion and ability. He did not doubt Jesus' capacity, focusing instead on His willingness to heal. Our prayers gain resonance when we place our trust in the divine capacity to respond to our supplications.

Furthermore, the leper's appeal underscored his yearning for healing over any material gain. Although he may have explored other avenues of relief without success, his hope for healing never waned. His enduring hope allowed him to perceive the vastness of Jesus' generosity and kindness. For our prayers to bear fruit, we must maintain a steadfast hope in the fulfillment of our needs.

Lastly, the leper's approach to Jesus was marked by humility. He did not view healing as a right but as a divine favor to be humbly requested. Aware of his own limitations, he turned to Jesus, trusting in His loving nature to compassionately grant what was beyond his reach.

Our prayers should echo this sentiment, seeking alignment with God's will above all. Jesus' response, "I will, be clean," affirms that our desires, when in harmony with God's plan, will be met. When prayer becomes a cornerstone of our existence, we can face life's tribulations with the confidence of God's saving grace. As the psalmist assures, the just may encounter numerous trials, yet the Lord delivers them from every one.