Wondrous Is The Lord’s Deed

 

We cannot conceal the deed of the Lord.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Thursday of 1st Week in Ordinary Time II, January 11th, 2024
Texts: 1 Samuel 4:1-11; Psalm 44:10-11,14-15,24-25; Mark 1:40-45 

We learn from today’s readings how wondrous is the Lord’s deed. Thinking of the Lord’s deeds the Philistines said, “Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before. Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who smote the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness.” 

The leper of today’s gospel reading experienced the wonder of the Lord’s deeds and he could not be silent. The wonder was so overwhelming for him that he defiled the warning to say nothing to anyone. We read, “And he sternly charged him, and sent him away at once, and said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to any one...’  But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news”.  Psalm 92:4 says, “For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.” We cannot conceal the deed of the Lord

I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord

The leper teaches us to acknowledge the deeds of the Lord always. Speaking to us in the words of Isaiah: “I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, because of all that the Lord has done for us, and the great favour to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love” (63:7). 

We learn today that it is by faith that we witness the deeds of the Lord. The leper had faith in Jesus Christ and He healed him. He expressed his faith in the words: "If you will, you can make me clean." We read, “Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.” 

Prayer 

We thank You, Lord, for the wonders of Your deeds, give us faith to acknowledge Your deeds; strengthen our faith to experience Your saving deeds. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke