12th January 2012 Mark 1:40-end

A Man With Leprosy
 [40] A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” [41] Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” [42] Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. [43] Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: [44] “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” [45] Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

Today's reflection is deeply personal; something which has been brought to the forefront of my life this morning.  We hear in the gospel that Jesus stayed outside in lonely places.  It is that loneliness that I want to reflect on.  

It's the loneliness of being lay but called; of still being me but seen as something more; of working in a team but alone; of being able to be with God but somehow not.  It can be lonely.  Today I feel lonely.  And today, thanks to this gospel, it's perhaps a little bit more ok.

Jesus, you know what it is to be called and needed and pulled apart and yet without anyone to lean on, you know lonely.  Please be with all who feel lonely, even amongst people and work.  Amen