FRIDAY, September 30

This same event was recorded by Mark in chapter 1. A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Then Jesus, "filled with compassion," stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."

Our mountaintop experiences are to renew us and fill us with the presence and the love of God so that it overflows to others and we can minister to and serve those that are hurting or in need.

Not to keen on today's Forward. Somehow comparing a sad human being with a horrid disease to a carpet full of fleas doesn't do it for me in relationship to Jesus' mission and ministry. I get the end message, but the middle was a bit sour.

Several comments this month from the person who wrote as ‘not to keen’ today have had a souring effect when I read the daily reflection and feedback, not dissimilar to today’s ‘mountain-top and valley’ analogy. My experiences, mountain-top or otherwise, will always pale in comparison to Jesus’ as reflected in the Gospels, but I won’t let that stop me from taking and applying the key lessons of Jesus’ life and teaching. In spite of the souring effect, those contrary viewpoints have led me to do my own reflection, looking inwards and backwards to examine my own thoughts and behaviors, and how they reflect (or not) the love that Jesus calls me to feel and demonstrate. Writing these meditations, probably a year in advance, in a tightly constrained space and number of words, cannot be an easy task, and those who are called to do so must be commended, even when we may disagree with their examples and premises. I learn from them all, if not directly, then certainly indirectly. And the persons willing to provide comments must also be commended for their willingness to share their testimonies. These demonstrate our diversity as endowed by the Creator, and if the meditations and viewpoints did not challenge, we would not grow, and how boring would the world be? May the Lord be ever with thee!

"Not to keen" should also learn to spell--it's "not too keen".

It is important to remember the cultural context of this Scripture. In early Bible times, leprosy was considered so repulsive, so dangerous, so ugly, that comparing it to fleas in that same context is entirely appropriate.
The point to remember (and be grateful for) is that Jesus loves US in our sinfulness (which is repulsive to Him)
and offers us cleansing and healing......just as He did the leper .

All the comments are so true. I remember having flies in my house and it was very, very difficult to get rid of them. My family and I had bites every where, especially around our ankles. It was not a comfortable time.

Everyone of us has had mountain top experience; a friend visits for a weekend, time with a sister or brother, time with someone special or yes time with the Lord. And let's face it, there is a let down after these wonderful times but eventually we find that we have grown and are able to share our gifts with others. Jesus shared His healing touch and His love with others no matter what the circumstances. Wouldn't it be great if we all followed His example.

"Jesus chose to heal the leper. And he is with each of us today."

This is where this meditation really spoke to me. I am thankful for this insight. Jesus chooses to "come down" and meet us where we are. What will I face today that will challenge my vision of faith? Will I take my disease to Jesus or will I keep it to myself? After all, those who are well have no need of a Doctor. And who can say that they don't need grace?

Barbara Summers: Thank you for the spelling correction. I now know that keen is a verb, adjective and noun and I do occasionally get confused about to and too. Other than spelling what also was I to learn?

Knowing the truth of Scripture is life-saving. It is not for any of us to interpret God's Word, but to understand it. Ecclesiastes 12:12..."of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh....the conclusion...Fear God and keep His commandments....Matthew 5 Jesus' teaching on the mountain..., Blessed are those...We, His people, are the salt (salt metaphor for wisdom), the light. Jesus presents the commandments of old and refines them to an even higher standard...You shall not murder, (nor be angry with your brother without cause), You shall not commit adultery(or even look at a woman with lust), You shall not swear falsely (do not swear at all), You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy (love your enemies, bless and do good......Seek the Kingdom of God first. Judge not that you may not be judged....Enter the narrow gate.
Let's not whitewash the mountain-top experience and let us do as Jesus did in both the mountain and the valley: teach, heal, do good, admonish, pray, and always....love the Lord God and our neighbor...
In Matthew 8, The mountain top experience was not a vacation. September's author is a retired priest.