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(Lv.13:1-2,44-46;\xa0\xa0 Ps.32:1-2,5,7,11;\xa0\xa0 1Cor.10:31-11:1;\xa0\xa0 Mk.1:40-45)\xa0 \u201cI said, \u2018I confess my faults to the Lord,\u2019 and you took away the guilt of my sin.\u201d\xa0 The leper in our gospel confesses his faults to the Lord when he says, \u201cIf you wish, you can make me clean,\u201d for by these words he recognizes that \u201che is in fact unclean\u201d \u2013 that he is a sick man in need of a physician.\xa0 And Jesus takes away the guilt of his sin when He responds, \u201cI do will it.\xa0 Be made clean.\u201d\xa0 For by a mere word from His mouth we are purged. That the sinner should cry out his guilt is evident even in the ancient Book of Leviticus; it gives specific instructions for the actions of the leper, whose sin has made him unclean: \u201cThe one who bears the sore of leprosy shall keep his garments rent and his head bare, and shall muffle his beard; he shall cry out, \u2018Unclean, unclean!\u2019\xa0 As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean.\u201d\xa0 Here is a graphic representation of the way we sinners should present ourselves to the Lord.\xa0 Like the leper who cries to Jesus on his knees, we should never hide our sin from the Lord; our \u201cguilt [should be] covered not.\u201d\xa0 For the Lord indeed sees all things \u2013 nothing is hidden from Him \u2013 so we fool only ourselves if we attempt to hide; and He can\u2019t heal us of our affliction if we do not come into His light.\xa0 We must come before Him in all humility for the poison upon our souls, and He will save us from our sin. How sincere is the leper\u2019s contrition to move the Lord to such immediate pity!\xa0 How pitiable indeed he is, as to a final hope for cleansing waters he comes with head bowed to the earth, his years of suffering evident in his shaking voice.\xa0 Whimpering like a dog he humbles himself before the Lord\u2026 and a tear we find in Jesus\u2019 eye \u2013 inevitably He reflects our penitence in His grace.\xa0 Let your heart break before Him!\xa0 Bleed before the Lord who bleeds for you!\xa0 Expose your sores to His eyes and His light shall cure them all. Finally, brothers and sisters, let us indeed \u201cbe imitators\u201d of Paul, \u201cnot seeking [our] own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved,\u201d that people will keep \u201ccoming to [Jesus] from everywhere\u201d to find the healing of their \u201csore of leprosy,\u201d to discover salvation from their sins.\xa0 For He does \u201cwill it\u201d for everyone \u2013 the redemption of all He holds in His arms of sacrifice.\xa0 Let all souls show themselves to His priests; let all confess their sins openly, that reconciliation with God and one another all may know.\xa0 O Lord, take away the sin from my soul!\xa0 (Thank you for the sacrament you leave with us.) Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Be Well" from Cleansing Human Frailty, fourth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, take away the guilt of our sin and return us to your fold that we might declare your glory to all. YHWH, let us not dwell apart from you but forgive us our sins and let us return to your presence.\xa0 Your Son leaves your side for a time to save us from our exile; may His sacrifice bring healing to all this day. We are all unclean in your sight, O LORD; before you we come on our knees begging to be relieved of our guilt.\xa0 Heal the sore upon our souls, which would spell our death \u2013 stretch out your hand and make us clean. How merciful is your Son, LORD.\xa0 How perfectly He reflects your compassion for the sinner.\xa0 He is moved with pity at our contrition; He shares our tears as His own.\xa0 O let all souls press upon Him for salvation! And let us all reflect His love in all we do, giving glory to you in all things.\xa0 Let our tongues follow the confession of our faults with praise of your goodness\u2026\xa0 Let us become as Jesus, LORD, laying down our lives that all might be saved and return to you.