SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE?

“ ‘Not a word to anyone, now,’ He said. ‘Go off and present yourself to the priest.’ ” —Mark 1:44

The leper in today’s Gospel wanted social acceptance. Jesus offered this social acceptance by commanding him to show himself to the priests (Mk 1:44). Thus healed by Jesus and pronounced clean by the priests, the leper could fully and officially integrate himself back into Jewish society. Yet he apparently wanted to establish his own social acceptance, and so he disobeyed Jesus’ command by publicizing “the whole matter” and “making the story public” (Mk 1:45).

Jesus offered a superior social acceptance through the priest’s official declaration of the healing. However, the former leper disobeyed, and Jesus had to pay the price of having to live in desert places (Mk 1:45).

In social media, people look for affirmation and friendship. This is understandable. Nonetheless, Jesus has a better plan (see Heb 11:40). He plans to make you His partner (see Heb 3:14).

Becoming a partner with Jesus is worth losing everything. Would you obey Jesus even if it meant losing some friends? Gain the Lord and gain all the acceptance you need (Phil 3:8-9).

Prayer: Father, may I never try to establish my own righteousness, but instead seek only that righteousness which comes from living in Jesus (Mt 6:33).

Promise: “We have become partners of Christ only if we maintain to the end that confidence with which we began.” —Heb 3:14

Praise: St. Marguerite Bourgeoys was born in France and, in 1653, courageously traveled to the colony of Quebec. She established a school in a horse stable, sacrificing worldly comforts to teach religion to the local children.